First Bus - Wyvern

[Cedric]

the 303 has not been withdrawn all together  it is just susppend   due to falling numbers due to current situation  the uk is in due to the virus

[WyreForestShuttle]

At present WCC have no plans for free travel on First Worcester unlike  Diamond Bus & Centro to allow free travel for key workers in the Metropolitan area in Worcestershire.

[WyreForestShuttle]

From "Route One" with regard to reimbursements to First Worcester and other operators:

In England, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps has written to members of the industry confirming that the Department for Transport (DfT) will continue to pay BSOG to English operators "on the basis of estimated service levels before the outbreak."

DfT is also writing to every English LA outside London to urge continuation of payments for tendered services and concessionary fare reimbursement at levels based on the position before the outbreak.

That move follows a Procurement Policy Note (PPN) issued by the Cabinet Office that urged LAs to continue to pay "at risk" suppliers while service delivery is disrupted. The PPN included a reference to home-to-school transport, but the subsequent letter from Mr Shapps does not.

Mr Shapps adds that he has asked officials and Buses Minister Baroness Vere "to continue to work closely with the sector to understand what the ongoing risks and issues are and how they could be addressed."

However, he sounded a warning that as part of the agreement, operators are expected to "continue to provide appropriate service levels for key workers, most particularly to hospitals." Ensuring that buses are not heavily loaded due to reduced timetables is also imperative.

Additionally, Mr Shapps expects operators to do their utmost to provide the services that LAs consider are required, and that communications with LAs and passengers are "first class."

[WyreForestShuttle]

First Worcester 675 will be main transport link to Colwall from Monday as West Midlands Railway has withdrawn its passenger train service from Great Malvern to Hereford.  First Worcester 44 continues to maintain an hourly service from the City to The Malverns. I understand sister company Great Western Railway is not happy with the decision as assurances had been given that the vital link will be maintained. Just a reminder that Hartlebury, Crossway Green and Ombersley are without a public bus service at all following Rotalas decision to axe its commercial bus service 303 with little warning. The Secretary of State has reminded operators that they should maintain vital links and will still be reinbursed at pre virus rates. Therefore there is no excuse for bus companies at present to withdraw vital links even if patronage is low. First Worcester continue to operate a full emergency service throughout its operating area in Worcestershire and Herefordshire putting the needs of its key worker customers FIRST.

[WyreForestShuttle]

First Worcester sister company Great Western Railway are to provide a replacement bus service for its passengers from Great Malvern to Hereford following the decision of West Midlands Trains to withdraw its rail service from Monday after GWR ceased to operate over the section of line it was led to believe would be continued to be served by another rail operator.

[WyreForestShuttle]

First Worcester sister company Great Western Railway are to provide a replacement bus service for its passengers from Great Malvern to Hereford following the decision of West Midlands Trains to withdraw its rail service from Monday after GWR ceased to operate over the section of line it was led to believe would be continued to be served by another rail operator.

Yeomans have been contracted to operate the Rail Replacement Bus Service

[WyreForestShuttle]

From "Route One" with regard to reimbursements to First Worcester and other operators:

In England, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps has written to members of the industry confirming that the Department for Transport (DfT) will continue to pay BSOG to English operators "on the basis of estimated service levels before the outbreak."

DfT is also writing to every English LA outside London to urge continuation of payments for tendered services and concessionary fare reimbursement at levels based on the position before the outbreak.

That move follows a Procurement Policy Note (PPN) issued by the Cabinet Office that urged LAs to continue to pay "at risk" suppliers while service delivery is disrupted. The PPN included a reference to home-to-school transport, but the subsequent letter from Mr Shapps does not.

Mr Shapps adds that he has asked officials and Buses Minister Baroness Vere "to continue to work closely with the sector to understand what the ongoing risks and issues are and how they could be addressed."

However, he sounded a warning that as part of the agreement, operators are expected to "continue to provide appropriate service levels for key workers, most particularly to hospitals." Ensuring that buses are not heavily loaded due to reduced timetables is also imperative.

Additionally, Mr Shapps expects operators to do their utmost to provide the services that LAs consider are required, and that communications with LAs and passengers are "first class."

The BBC BUSINESS STAFF have made a comment on the above:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52122342

[WyreForestShuttle]

FIRST WORCESTER  Easter services

Over the Easter period FIRST WORCESTER  will be operating the special reduced timetables for each day, except for Easter Monday where the reduced Sunday timetable applies.

Good Friday – reduced 'Monday-Friday' timetables

Easter Saturday – reduced 'Saturday' timetable

Easter Sunday & Easter Monday – reduced 'Sunday' timetable

[WyreForestShuttle]

Clearways have ceased to operate local services in Bromesgrove.  Passengers are advised in Charford & Catshil to use First Worcester 144 which continues to serve parts of the area

[WyreForestShuttle]

Yeomans have been contracted to operate the Rail Replacement Bus Service

The Rail Replacement Service was featured on.BBC MIDLANDS TODAY and an interview undertaken with a Yeomans driver.

[WyreForestShuttle]

the 303 has not been withdrawn all together  it is just susppend   due to falling numbers due to current situation  the uk is in due to the virus

It is worthy to note the only trunk Worcestershire bus service into the City of Worcester to be WITHDRAWN from the City Centre is operated by the Black Country based Rotala. Worcester  based FIRST bus routes continue to offer a FULL emergency service for Key Workers to the City of Worcester, The Malverns, Droitwich Evesham & Bromesgrove in very extreme circumstances.

[WyreForestShuttle]

http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/rotala/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=182&newsid=1385252
Despite the assurances given to the City today by Rotala as a key business the company continues not to offer passengers from Hartlebury, Ombersley a public bus service into First Worcester Crowgate Bus Station on the City Centre. First Worcester continues to operate a full emergency service to the City of Worcester

[MW]

http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/rotala/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=182&newsid=1385252
Despite the assurances given to the City today by Rotala as a key business the company continues not to offer passengers from Hartlebury, Ombersley a public bus service into First Worcester Crowgate Bus Station on the City Centre. First Worcester continues to operate a full emergency service to the City of Worcester

From what I know, it's a commercial service running with next to nobody on board.

Last I heard, it's still a free market and the operator can withdraw commercial services. If this is such a big deal, maybe you should contact Worcester County Council. I'm sure if they deem it necessary, they'll put their money where their mouth is.

[Cedric]

From what I know, it's a commercial service running with next to nobody on board.

Last I heard, it's still a free market and the operator can withdraw commercial services. If this is such a big deal, maybe you should contact Worcester County Council. I'm sure if they deem it necessary, they'll put their money where their mouth is.

diamond have not withdrawn the 303 kidderminster Worcester  service  it  is just SUSPENED    while  the lockdown /virus timetables are in operation,   https://www.diamondbuses.com/worcester-warwickshire//

[WyreForestShuttle]

the 303 has not been withdrawn all together  it is just susppend   due to falling numbers due to current situation  the uk is in due to the virus

Rotala have withdrawn its services from From First Worcester Crowngate Bus Station I can assure you despite your comments about a so called suspension it is contrary to the guidance given to operators. Whatever you may post it is not currently serving the City of Worcester leaving key workers on a large part of the A449 without a public bus service. First Worcester continues to maintain its commitments to providing key workers with an emergency bus service serving the areas of Worcestershire its operates within for which it should be applauded and thanked. We owe a debt of gratitude to hard working brave staff of First Worcester who continue to work in such difficult circumstances at present.