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Messages - Sandy Lane

#76
TfWM site now updated for NXC services but can't see mention of the other operator services that may be affected?
#77
The glorious TfWM and their Bus Disruptions web page seems not to be aware of major road works near the city centre. A number of buses being diverted for more than one week. I cannot see it mentioned.

NXC have done a good job in reporting this.
Haven't found any mention by SC or other operators.

Can someone give TfWM a nudge to wake up and include Coventry issues please? Happy to show TfWM where Coventry is on a map if they want some help?  :laugh:
#78
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
January 05, 2024, 02:50:23 PM
Downstairs on some of the electric deckers I see that A4 size printed notices have been stuck to the window in large text saying 

X30 service to continue 
following renewal of our contract .........
#79
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
January 05, 2024, 07:53:10 AM
Quote from: Justin Tyme on January 04, 2024, 11:06:18 PMBear in mind that Ansty Park is located outside the TfWM area - it is in Warwickshire. 
True, but it is only just outside the Coventry boundary and TfWM is the only transport authority that has shown any interest. TfWM also offers the nearest rail station connectivity. Hence TfWM should lead on this IMO.


Quote from: Justin Tyme on January 04, 2024, 11:06:18 PMI believe that TfWM policy has, rightly or wrongly, been not to subsidise works (or schools) services for several years, and I cannot recall when Warwickshire County Council last subsidised a works service.  I'm sure both authorities would say that it is up to the owners or managers of Ansty Park - or employers there - to decide whether or not to fund a service.
Agree services should be self funded to at least break even. I think you may mis-understand what I mean about on-site marketing the X30. This is not about selling tickets at cut price. This is about TfWM spending a full day at each business at Ansty Park with a 'pop up' marketing stand talking to the employees and explaining about how good the X30 link is. Also TfWM should listen to employee concerns and take away any issues that are raised.

I doubt that relying on each business organisation's HR team to do this on behalf of TfWM will achieve very much. TfWM should be out there on the front line selling the product. The stand is best placed in popular and well used staff break out / canteen areas.

After 3 - 6 months TfWM should go back in again and repeat the activity. Its no good doing nothing and hoping more will use the service. TfWM definitely has some work to do IMO.

There are some grand sounding job titles with TfWM. If they can be bothered to go out and meet these potential customers- well that's another issue.
#80
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
January 04, 2024, 09:45:33 PM
Quote from: Stu on January 04, 2024, 07:01:31 PMNow it just needs Ansty Park to do more to get the employees of the companies based there to make more use of this bus service.

More revenue through passenger growth is better than support funding.

Agree fully but it's no good just sitting back to see what happens. Should TfWM be regularly setting up their marketing stall? There is more than one market to consider. Done right could see demand increase.

On site selling this useful transport link and talking to employees inside all the businesses at Ansty Park has to be a priority surely?


Perhaps also advertise to all Coventry citizens living on the route inside all the X30 bus shelters into town? How many rail commuters are aware of the advantage that the X30 offers the quickest direct link to the rail station? plus the successful joint bus / train /  tram tickets that are available? 

Also, could more recent vehicles be considered with next stop announcements, usb sockets, comfy seats, etc, to encourage car drivers to consider using the modern bus. 

Reliability of the service will also have a key part to play in getting car users to switch to the bus. At peak times I reckon there has been a problem for some time.
#82
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
January 03, 2024, 07:42:05 PM
Quote from: Sandy Lane on January 01, 2024, 10:23:26 AMThere may be a clue in the timing point of the timetable you mention?
The X30 today does not serve Pool Meadow and the old sports centre (Fairfax St) is the timing point. In the TT you talk about the timing point stop is moved to Hales St but not sure where exactly. Could this indicate a route change using a new operator?

Ref the Cox St / Fairfax St temporary road closures in January.
NXC today now seem to be saying the X30 will actually be running up to 27th January?
https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/service-updates/cox-streetfairfax-street 

Could it be then that a new NXC X30 contract has just been put in place despite the previous NXC service update that was published 29th December? If so, then this could be good news or have I got it wrong?
#83
Stagecoach / Re: Stagecoach in Warwickshire
January 03, 2024, 05:54:42 PM
Quote from: ellspurs on January 03, 2024, 03:37:30 PMWon't R86 just be Stagecoach code for Rugby garage's 86?
Thks. It could be just that. Never spotted it before.
#84
Stagecoach / Re: Stagecoach in Warwickshire
January 02, 2024, 10:55:52 PM
SC have an application to amend the 86 timetable from 06 January 2024. Also talks about a service number R86? What is the R86 route? Anyone have any info?
#85
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
January 01, 2024, 10:23:26 AM
Quote from: 2206 on December 30, 2023, 02:02:42 PMAnd confusing the matter more the X30 has a timetable showing on the website for the 8th - 12th January 2024. Mostly the same as the current one, except notice some early evening journeys are retimed.
X30 Coventry - Ansty Park | NX Bus Coventry

Though asking NX about this on twitter they say "the X30 service will be withdrawn starting Monday 8th January, the timetable shown afer this date will be withdrawn".
I'm not sure if the website is automatically showing a pre Christmas timetable or something else?

There may be a clue in the timing point of the timetable you mention?
The X30 today does not serve Pool Meadow and the old sports centre (Fairfax St) is the timing point. In the TT you talk about the timing point stop is moved to Hales St but not sure where exactly. Could this indicate a route change using a new operator?
#86
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
December 31, 2023, 03:58:18 PM
Quote from: 2206 on December 31, 2023, 01:14:52 PMIts been said its Anstry Park who fund the service and thus fund 2 buses to run it rather than tfwm I think.
Anstry Park also appears to be in Warwickshire beyond the TFWM boundary.
Whilst the parts of the route within the TFWM area seem to have other services serving it.

Agree it's a strange location for a business park 
http://www.anstypark.co.uk/By-Bus 
Think the photo may have been one of Diamond's fleet?

While strictly just over the Warks border Coventry & W. Mids Mayor are key stakeholders 
http://www.anstypark.co.uk/Coventry-City-Council 

I hear that massive site expansion is being discussed so good public transport will still be necessary to Coventry rail station.

From Clifford Bridge Rd direct bus services to the station have been decimated by Birmingham based TfWM. 
Examples
585 (85) had a 30 min frequency but no longer goes to the rail station.
1 (Diamond) used to serve the rail station. Service canned.
17 used to serve to station but no longer.

As I say it will be interesting to see what happens next?





#87
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
December 31, 2023, 09:27:52 AM
Quote from: mesub on December 31, 2023, 12:13:33 AMWe'll see, but I don't think they would make an announcement if the business park was going to renew it.

I actually had the time to do the route a few days ago. The loadings weren't amazingly high between the edge of Coventry and Ansty Park (although I only did one round trip in the evening, so obviously couldn't comment about the overall loadings of the route). It was nice to go fast along the A46 though.

The X30 perform a very useful public service . Here is my take on it.

It gets employees to/from that new (yet awful) bus/ rail station interchange and city centre directly to the business park.
It gets employees who live along Clifford Bridge Rd and Walsgrave Rd corridor to/from the business park.
It gets commuters who live along Clifford Bridge Rd and Walsgrave Rd corridor to/from the rail station. The most direct and quickest service from that side of Coventry. 
It also gets rail travellers from the awful bus / rail station interchange into the city centre providing they know where to get off

Loadings vary and at times it can be very busy. At other times loadings can be light possibly due to a lack of locals knowing the X30 strange routing around the city centre

It's biggest downfall is running to time at peak times using a PVR of 2 buses. It's just not doable on many days but does need to be a clock face 30 min service. Something the glorious TfWM transport gurus in far away Birmingham just cannot seem to get sorted. Now two operators have proven it can't be done with 2 vehicles it will be interesting to see what happens next?

#88
National Express Coventry / Re: X30 Ansty Park
December 30, 2023, 01:43:55 PM
From Monday 8th January 2024, service X30 will be withdrawn due to the ending of the current agreed contract National Express have to run the service. 
https://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/service-updates/minor-timetable-changes

#89
Other Operators / Re: Kovacs Group
December 30, 2023, 01:37:30 PM
Quote from: Mayfield on December 30, 2023, 10:06:33 AMThey are a temporary labour providers who can transport large numbers of workers directly
To any location.
Thanks for the replies.
Do they show up on bustimes.org?
#90
Other Operators / Kovacs Group
December 30, 2023, 08:08:59 AM
Started a new topic as saw their white decker heading out of town through Ball Hill, Coventry, yesterday.
Not heard of this operator so googled them and got this link 

https://www.kovacsgroup.co.uk/operators-licence/

I read the decker has 100 seats and used for workers transport?
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