First Potteries Discussion

[Goldfish62]

Aren't the Streetdecks that are in Potteries low height ones (same as Ipswich)?

Yes indeed. They have that strange look.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Aren't the Streetdecks that are in Potteries low height ones (same as Ipswich)?

Yes, 13' 10" though, so too tall for the bridge in question.

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes, 13' 10" though, so too tall for the bridge in question.

Is the signage a triangle or circle? If the former it's advisory. There's a 14'3" bridge in the Hope Valley which full height buses go under daily.

If it's circular signage there's no such discretion.

 

[CBlue]

Is the signage a triangle or circle? If the former it's advisory. There's a 14'3" bridge in the Hope Valley which full height buses go under daily.

If it's circular signage there's no such discretion.

Assuming we're talking about the railway bridge, it shows as triangular signage on google streetview.

 

[Goldfish62]

Assuming we're talking about the railway bridge, it shows as triangular signage on google streetview.

View attachment 157260

So a 13'9" bus can go under there no problem. The company would want to undertake a route test and risk assessment for a 13'10" bus. But then perhaps they already have done.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Assuming we're talking about the railway bridge, it shows as triangular signage on google streetview.

View attachment 157260

Yes, that is the bridge I was referring to on route 3 (ex 320) Hanley to Crewe

 

[G760XRE]

New evening services 36/36A are not tracking on either bustimes.org or on the First App on the 1st day of operation. Unless I'm missing something

 

[Baxenden Bank]

New evening services 36/36A are not tracking on either bustimes.org or on the First App on the 1st day of operation. Unless I'm missing something

The journeys on the 11 are tracking on bustimes, so they haven't completely forgotten to run the new services.

The bus working, referred to by @markymark2000 coming off the 4A (1830 ex Hanley) appears to have sat in Butt Lane from 1925 to 1943 (rather than going to Kidsgrove then looping back private), arrived at Fourth Avenue at 1946, in time to depart on the 36 at 1953. But bustimes shows nothing beyond that. The vehicle in question is 63116 - SK63 KGG.

If it weren't so cold I'd womble out and observe!

 

[markymark2000]

New evening services 36/36A are not tracking on either bustimes.org or on the First App on the 1st day of operation. Unless I'm missing something

Don't hold out much hope. Crewe 6 ran for 4 1/2 months and never tracked. I'd emailed first multiple times but as per, they weren't bothered about complying with the law (the law being the The Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations 2020)

 

[G760XRE]

Don't hold out much hope. Crewe 6 ran for 4 1/2 months and never tracked. I'd emailed first multiple times but as per, they weren't bothered about complying with the law (the law being the The Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations 2020)

I've reported an issue with the data via the bus open data service (https://data.bus-data.dft.gov.uk/avl/dataset/8580/). I'll see if that makes any difference. But yes I remember now First running that service after Arriva pulled out of Crewe and it never tracked to my knowledge. Should've seen this coming!

 

[Simon75]

How is the potteries fleet looking these days?

I know more street lites are also being added into the fleet to help phase out older single buses and have a more common fleet

Except for trainers

Single deckers are Streetlites, e200mmc, with a 57 and 07 plate e200

Double deckers e400mmc

 

[cnjb8]

Except for trainers

Single deckers are Streetlites, e200mmc, with a 57 and 07 plate e200

Double deckers e400mmc

There aren't any E400MMCs with Potteries, just StreetDecks

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I've reported an issue with the data via the bus open data service (https://data.bus-data.dft.gov.uk/avl/dataset/8580/). I'll see if that makes any difference. But yes I remember now First running that service after Arriva pulled out of Crewe and it never tracked to my knowledge. Should've seen this coming!

Being mischievous: If it didn't track, it didn't run and if it didn't run they don't get paid!
Time for an email to the council perhaps!

I'm not sure it's at all helpful having a new route number. Anyone looking up the 3, 6 or 6A timetables will assume services finish at their previous times. Perfectly possible to have it on the 3 timetable with a note 'continues as service 6' (or 6A as applicable). A journey planner presumably picks up all the journeys eg for a Kidsgrove to Hanley query, but I hate all journey planners with a vengeance.

 

[markymark2000]

I'm not sure it's at all helpful having a new route number. Anyone looking up the 3, 6 or 6A timetables will assume services finish at their previous times. Perfectly possible to have it on the 3 timetable with a note 'continues as service 6' (or 6A as applicable).

That is how it was put out to tender. Sadly, it's just another example of councils putting themselves first and not passengers. They can claim they have introduced cross city links and use that to play politics.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

That is how it was put out to tender. Sadly, it's just another example of councils putting themselves first and not passengers. They can claim they have introduced cross city links and use that to play politics.

Indeed. First are no better though:

With over 30 bus services riding around the North Staffordshire area, you’ll easily be able to find your favourite destinations.

Let's take a look at those 'over' 30:
3
3A
4
4A
6
6A
6C: college service, one direction only
7
7A
8
11
11B
18
21
22
23
25
36
36A
37: works service twice per day
98
99
101
B1: football specials
PC5: closed door school service
PC6: closed door school service
PC7: closed door school service
PC8: closed door school service
PC9: closed door school service

Which I get to total only 29 and between five and eight of those are of very limited use!

 

[G760XRE]

Being mischievous: If it didn't track, it didn't run and if it didn't run they don't get paid!
Time for an email to the council perhaps!

I'm not sure it's at all helpful having a new route number. Anyone looking up the 3, 6 or 6A timetables will assume services finish at their previous times. Perfectly possible to have it on the 3 timetable with a note 'continues as service 6' (or 6A as applicable). A journey planner presumably picks up all the journeys eg for a Kidsgrove to Hanley query, but I hate all journey planners with a vengeance.

Tempted, especially if I get as much radio silence as Mark did regarding Crewe service 6. I know tracking shouldn't be relied upon solely, but it's certainly a helpful tool for the travelling public. Even moreso on infrequent evening services such as these. Plus, as has been mentioned, bus operators in England are now required to provide this data.

I've just noticed on the list of current registrations for First Potteries the services aren't listed on bustimes.org, despite there being timetable data elsewhere on the site. Not sure if this is relevant though.

PD0000003 – FIRST POTTERIES LTD – bustimes.org

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Tempted, especially if I get as much radio silence as Mark did regarding Crewe service 6. I know tracking shouldn't be relied upon solely, but it's certainly a helpful tool for the travelling public. Even moreso on infrequent evening services such as these. Plus, as has been mentioned, bus operators in England are now required to provide this data.

I've just noticed on the list of current registrations for First Potteries the services aren't listed on bustimes.org, despite there being timetable data elsewhere on the site. Not sure if this is relevant though.

PD0000003 – FIRST POTTERIES LTD – bustimes.org

It is under 'new' rather than 'registered'.
36/36A PD0000003/189

 

[Simon75]

There aren't any E400MMCs with Potteries, just StreetDecks

My mistake sorry meant Streetdecks

 

[Baxenden Bank]

36 / 36A tracking on bustimes.org tonight.

 

[Lewisham2221]

When will 33828 leave ?

This has now left and transferred to join its sisters at Halifax.

 

[SeanM1997]

Details of contract opportunities | Stoke-on-Trent

Tender and Quotation Opportunities - Detail

www.stoke.gov.uk

Stoke on Trent City Council wish to appoint contractors to provide additional bus services to enhance the existing bus network by increasing the frequency, hours of operation and introducing weekend services across the existing commercial network.

Contract due to run 22 July 2024 - 31 March 2026

BSIP Bus Service Enhancements - SO92 - HDG/2024/716 [Notice]

To enhance the existing bus network by increasing the frequency, hours of operation and introducing ... A Tender Notice by Stoke on Trent City Council. Value £1M.

bidstats.uk

1. £19K - 6A Blythe Bridge - Longton - City Centre
2. £700K - 9A - Tunstall - Mill Hill - Bradeley - City Centre (Mon-Fri)
3. £144K - 9A - Tunstall - Mill Hill - Bradeley - City Centre (Sat & Good Friday)
4. £113K - 19/19A - City Centre - Sneyd Green Circular (Off Peak Mon-Fri)
5. £112K - 19/19A - City Centre - Sneyd Green Circular (Peak Mon-Fri)
6. £54K - 21 - City Centre - Stoke - Trentham (Sun & BH)
7. £72K - 21 & 43 - City Centre - Stoke - Trentham / City Centre - Milton - Baddeley Green (Sun & BH)
8. £54K - 22 - Longton - Blurton - Trentham - Newcastle (Sun & BH)
9. £178K - 11 & 22 - Longton - Stoke - Newcastle / Longton - Blurton - Trentham - Newcastle (Mon-Fri Evenings)
10. £37K - 11 & 22 - Longton - Stoke - Newcastle / Longton - Blurton - Trentham - Newcastle (Sat Evenings)

 

[G760XRE]

Details of contract opportunities | Stoke-on-Trent

Tender and Quotation Opportunities - Detail

www.stoke.gov.uk

Contract due to run 22 July 2024 - 31 March 2026

BSIP Bus Service Enhancements - SO92 - HDG/2024/716 [Notice]

To enhance the existing bus network by increasing the frequency, hours of operation and introducing ... A Tender Notice by Stoke on Trent City Council. Value £1M.

bidstats.uk

Thank you for sharing.

The 6A tender 1. Looking at the value, that can only be a single journey, similar to the 6 tender won by D&G in round 1.

As round 1 started 6 weeks or so after the planned date, I'm not holding my breath that these will begin on 22nd July...

On a separate note, noted 67180 on 6A's yesterday, despite not tracking since Wednesday morning. 63360's ticket machine also is temperamental, seen it disappear for a few hours on a few occasions, one of which I saw it physically still operating.

 

[davehsug]

Details of contract opportunities | Stoke-on-Trent

Tender and Quotation Opportunities - Detail

www.stoke.gov.uk

Contract due to run 22 July 2024 - 31 March 2026

BSIP Bus Service Enhancements - SO92 - HDG/2024/716 [Notice]

To enhance the existing bus network by increasing the frequency, hours of operation and introducing ... A Tender Notice by Stoke on Trent City Council. Value £1M.

bidstats.uk

Sadly, from a purely personal pov, no sign of a return for evening services on the 5 or 16

 

[Simon75]

Sadly, from a purely personal pov, no sign of a return for evening services on the 5 or 16

I believe there is a least one more batch of tenders due later this year

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Does anyone have access to the specification pdf showing the actual timetables? Someone kindly provided a copy for the first round of tenders.

 

[markymark2000]

The 6A tender 1. Looking at the value, that can only be a single journey, similar to the 6 tender won by D&G in round 1.

Yes. It's one AM trip on the 6A arriving at around 06:55.