tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post6214451042691638176..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: The Ticket Machine Says NoSteve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-45085542454449551662019-09-04T13:18:32.195+01:002019-09-04T13:18:32.195+01:00Mostly ... there is still the Corn Exchange, the B...Mostly ... there is still the Corn Exchange, the Buttermarket cinema, and the Wolsey Theatre isn't far off.Andrew Kleissnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-32925088342984750742019-08-22T13:13:24.727+01:002019-08-22T13:13:24.727+01:00The entertainment areas are now pushed away fr...The entertainment areas are now pushed away from the town centre in Ipswich .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-67619628355407084122019-08-21T14:07:15.374+01:002019-08-21T14:07:15.374+01:00I was in Ipswich (for the first time) the other we...I was in Ipswich (for the first time) the other week, and spent an evening there. Going back to the station for a train back to London midweek, and the town was deserted. I passed through the Cattle Market bus station, and there were two people in the bus station waiting for evening services. If there is nothing in town to keep people there, I'm not especially surprised that there were few buses running...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025817350156840795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-14287067076982223862019-08-20T13:05:56.421+01:002019-08-20T13:05:56.421+01:00They can't even go out with a marker pen to...They can't even go out with a marker pen to cross it out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-18012568957444186752019-08-19T19:28:19.735+01:002019-08-19T19:28:19.735+01:00First bus changes...read the last bit
"River...First bus changes...read the last bit<br /><br />"Riverside & Rail Station - City Centre - Unthank Road (25) or Earlham Road (26) - UEA - N&NU Hospital (26)<br /><br />As a result of generally low numbers of people travelling, the Blue Line 25 service towards the city centre leaving the University at 2310 will no longer operate.<br /><br />Please note that due to the costs involved we will not be reproducing or reprinting timetables or roadside information to reflect this change."<br /><br />Let's hope that nobody reads the timetable at the bus stop and waits for it! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-28126221024736332952019-08-13T18:39:56.818+01:002019-08-13T18:39:56.818+01:00Galloways Surrendering many of their routes
Gallo...Galloways Surrendering many of their routes<br /><br />Galloways will be ceasing three services (routes 87, 377, and 386) as part of the county council's shake-up of rural bus services. The 118/119 services to Framlingham are due to finish at the start of November.<br /><br />Now it has told the county that it will be withdrawing from the 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 services from Ipswich to Diss, Eye, Mendlesham and Debenham on October 18.<br /><br />The county had not said these services were at risk - so they will be put out to tender and it is hoped that they will continue to operate in a similar way to what is happening now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-78392171396203175042019-08-13T17:36:12.254+01:002019-08-13T17:36:12.254+01:00Good news for residents of Eagle Way in Martlesham...Good news for residents of Eagle Way in Martlesham. The first website states they are running a 66A which will travel there once per hour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-61478885315230521502019-08-13T14:29:02.325+01:002019-08-13T14:29:02.325+01:00Eagle Way has gained a slight reprieve!
One bus p...Eagle Way has gained a slight reprieve!<br /><br />One bus per hour (numbered 66A) will not call at Tesco, but will travel via Gloster Road and operate along the length of Eagle Way before returning to Martlesham Heath roundabout. <br /><br />In the evenings and on Sundays, all buses will operate as a 66, following the route via Tesco, Gloster Road and A12.robbobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15265231484669029004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-78399568207228339682019-08-13T11:22:52.158+01:002019-08-13T11:22:52.158+01:00More joyous news.... https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/m...More joyous news.... https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/more-changes-to-suffolk-buses-1-6211991Trevor Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580679352006526817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-10603633755585076182019-08-12T08:43:12.899+01:002019-08-12T08:43:12.899+01:00Some minor changes in Clacton they all seem to rel...Some minor changes in Clacton they all seem to related to a number of school contract routes now being taken on commerciallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-67352545576495809792019-08-11T17:51:52.821+01:002019-08-11T17:51:52.821+01:00Konect have 3 brand new Enviro 400 MMCs coming in ...Konect have 3 brand new Enviro 400 MMCs coming in October.<br /><br />These will primarily be on 3/6/8. <br /><br />3/6 will have 1 as PVR increased from 5 to 6 when they extended some journeys to Thetford; and PVR on 8 has gone from 5 to 7 when frequency increased.<br /><br />My konect contacts are not sure what the livery will be yet (some suggest will be similar to the 8), but they will not be branded for any service in particular (due to some interworkings) but they will predominately be on those routes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-77804178954768003162019-08-11T16:31:09.106+01:002019-08-11T16:31:09.106+01:00Irrelevant to East Anglia I know, but just thought...Irrelevant to East Anglia I know, but just thought this may be interest. In my home city of Durham, North Carolina, the local transit authority does take the traveling public's comments seriously. We've lived here for nearly fourteen years and services have improved steadily with annual increases in ridership - and the flat fare is STILL only $1. Take a look:<br />https://godurhamtransit.org/news/have-your-say-godurham-plans-restructure-routes-add-service-frequencyMickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13127173969169511656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-12863317106066055152019-08-11T11:33:06.035+01:002019-08-11T11:33:06.035+01:00I've now dug out my Winter 1938 ECOC timetable...I've now dug out my Winter 1938 ECOC timetable to compare running times with the new First Eastern Counties service. Both have a journey leaving Ipswich at 2.45pm (1445) as follows- <br /><br />Ipswich Old Cattle Market 2.45pm(1445)<br />Claydon Crown 3.03pm (Greyhound 1506)<br />Great Blakenham Chequers 3.07pm (1509)<br />Needham Market Swan 3.18pm (1516)<br />Stowmarket Market Place 3.30pm (1530)<br /><br />It will be seen that after eighty one years the service will still have exactly the same running time! Travel via Bramford and all the estates would add 13 minutes to the running time to give a total of 58 minutes.<br /><br />On inward journeys, First still use the "Crown" as the timing point at Claydon so, in that direction, all the landmarks used as the main timing points are unchanged. SEV 777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-78567344445451428782019-08-11T08:28:09.167+01:002019-08-11T08:28:09.167+01:00Thanks. Only asking because I use Galloway between...Thanks. Only asking because I use Galloway between Fram and Ipswich. Had noticed a lot of drivers don't seem to stay long! Trevor Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580679352006526817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-33633528926091883172019-08-10T15:09:55.991+01:002019-08-10T15:09:55.991+01:00The service side of galloways is Stevensons bar th...The service side of galloways is Stevensons bar the name the drivers are on a low wage and are leaving as a lot of operators are ofteing a lot more money that is the main reason Stevensons are doing the bury service I would be very surprised if galloways get it back plus its registered under galloways. But as you know Stevensons own the name. The few new drivers that do come they are put on national express David green teahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04585115991760104648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-42367283603668556072019-08-10T12:16:04.436+01:002019-08-10T12:16:04.436+01:00I thought that was the 385? 384 misses out Old New...I thought that was the 385? 384 misses out Old Newton. Short of buses or drivers or both? Oh and not great when a driver is heard to say that he can't be bothered with change!!!!Trevor Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580679352006526817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-16624649418355978142019-08-10T09:58:06.345+01:002019-08-10T09:58:06.345+01:00It's clear that you don't use the 91 a lot...It's clear that you don't use the 91 a lot. I'm someone who uses it to commute to work every week for the last 5 years over a number of different services on that route and I do not recognise your observations.<br /><br />Even when the service was every hour between Sudbury and Ipswich, outside the first two buses from Sudbury an the last three from Ipswich there were minimal fare payers during the day. It was 80% OAPs and a good percentage of the rest students traveling on cut price tickets.<br /><br />The route between Sudbury to Hadleigh has even higher percentage of that of free travel pass holders in the day and less fare payers even on the peak services. Often Sudbury to Hadleigh, at an hourly frequency , passenger numbers ware in single figures. <br /><br />Not sure where the competition with Ipswich Buses is because the only place the two run parallel would be Hadleigh Road to Ipswich and onwards, and Beestons of course are going to have a disincentive for inner Ipswich travel because otherwise on the peak services you'd have people taking short trips taking up capacity from people going to Hadleigh or Sudbury who are then unable to board at peak times.<br /><br />As for stand time, it varies sometimes it is 5 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes and sometimes double that It's almost like it's been designed around driving hour regulations, fancy that. Also if you're wondering about the duty with a 2 hour gap in the afternoon from 14:50 to 16:55, it's doing a school run in between apparently.<br /><br />White might be the new blue, apparently, too......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-87760413042810444792019-08-10T02:20:51.276+01:002019-08-10T02:20:51.276+01:00Of course a 63 to Wickham Market station that conn...Of course a 63 to Wickham Market station that connected with the trains would be too convenient wouldn't it!Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-14308201392863377582019-08-10T02:18:01.889+01:002019-08-10T02:18:01.889+01:00Interesting. Thanks David.Interesting. Thanks David.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-45436660322416125172019-08-10T02:17:14.001+01:002019-08-10T02:17:14.001+01:00Lol yes I've done all the estates and you are ...Lol yes I've done all the estates and you are right, so surely an hourly fast service and an hourly one round the estates?<br /><br />As for the Sunday service the Council helpfully pointed out that the alternative was the end to end train.....so that's ok then.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-59442888839300236522019-08-10T02:13:38.210+01:002019-08-10T02:13:38.210+01:00Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear! No Smurfy, it is not a c...Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear! No Smurfy, it is not a charity or social services, so they should stop bleating about lack of council funding, get off their backsides, and go and look for new custom like any other business does. But they won't unless other operators find them first. I have identified plenty of potential money trees, but like Ron Weasley they are too scared to follow the spiders into the forest where the trees are, preferring the butterflies in the park, occasionally muscling in on someone else's ball game.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-60966213840069060542019-08-09T21:13:05.569+01:002019-08-09T21:13:05.569+01:00Hi Steve just to let you know that Stevensons are ...Hi Steve just to let you know that Stevensons are running the 387 service from Stowmarket via Elmswell old Newton to Bury service a till further notice with there drivers and vehicles David green teahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04585115991760104648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-2937528778546484002019-08-09T18:50:50.622+01:002019-08-09T18:50:50.622+01:00The new timetable that reduces the service to eve...The new timetable that reduces the service to every 2 hours and the fares increase will in my view finish that service off as will the timetable as well which appear to give 40 minutes stand time <br /><br />THe service was very busy until Beestons started messing around with the timetable. It is a service that should be profitable and should be able to support say a 40 minute service. Much of the problem is the fares are excusive and the route makes to many detours and the service is to infrequent. It means only a few pensioners and the occasionbal shopper use it<br /><br />THe route also competes against Chambers & Ipswich bus at either end they charge much lower fares. I don't see the 91 lasting more than 12 months at least not with Beestons operating itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-31120641982337756972019-08-09T17:12:37.378+01:002019-08-09T17:12:37.378+01:00Steve,
If you look at Suffolkonboard at the momen...Steve,<br /><br />If you look at Suffolkonboard at the moment, you will see that the link to future timetables does not work for the 88. Until it was removed (yesterday/ today?) there was was one which showed the basic half hourly service as per the new Eastern Counties timetable PLUS an hourly service 89 which went round the estates in Needham Market and Claydon and then went via Bramford in to Ipswich. It seems to have been timed so as not to take passengers away from the 88. Were EC hoping in vain for the Council to pay for this?<br /><br />It's a very interesting question as to whether bus routes should operate straight down the main road or go round the estates. If you are young and fit (and a paying passenger) you may prefer to walk to a main bus stop and get a quicker journey in to town. If like me, you are old and decrepit (and with a bus pass) then you might prefer the bus coming nearer to home even if it is slower. I can however tell you that if, as a passenger, you go round the Needham estates, then the Claydon estate and finally via Bramford, then it is slow and boring! <br /><br />Galloway are cancelling the Sunday service on the 88 which they operate as the 87. SEV 777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-47202886884051256622019-08-09T16:07:09.690+01:002019-08-09T16:07:09.690+01:00All the criticism about the loss of services is fa...All the criticism about the loss of services is fair. So I'll apologise in advance for this post which is going to upset you all, but perhaps some things need to be said. The truth always hurts, as my grandmother used to say.<br /><br />But First, and any other commercial operator for that matter, isn't a charity or social services. The legal obligation to pay and secure necessary bus services which the market doesn't provide is on the Councils, not the Company. Sorry. Elsewhere, locally in Essex and Hertfordshire (and the Cambridgeshire Mayor) for instance, they do step in nothwithstanding their financial difficulties.<br /><br />I understand that we all, as taxpayers, don't want to pay taxes. So only too well do the politicians. We'll vote for anyone who promises to cut them, and to spend money he doesn't have. We want a sugar daddy.<br /><br />We would rather the shareholders pay, or perhaps cut the drivers wages (as long as we aren't one)? Perhaps we forget that they are the investments that pay our pensions. So let's take a cut in our pensions to save the buses, hey? Who is going to volunteer?<br /><br />Yes, it is cruel not to have what we want because we aren't prepared to pay for it. Just ask any baby.<br /><br />As my parents told me as a youngster "You think money grows on trees. It doesn't". Growing up, I knew that I didn't. But what I didn't appreciate was that everybody else does, apparently. (I suffer from gout and a heart condition which restricts driving, too).smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.com