Consultations on York Park & Ride

Part of a £22m plan to take 300,000 cars off York's roads has gone out to public consultation.

The government gave York council £22m late last year to spend on improving traffic flow and access to the city.
As part of the plans the Askham Bar park and ride site will be rebuilt with 1,100 spaces behind the Tesco supermarket off Tadcaster Road.

Designs for a new access junction are available for people to view and comment on until 24 February.
Further consultation on a new 600-space park and ride site at Poppleton Bar, off the A59, will go out to public consultation from 6 February. However, residents in Upper and Nether Poppleton say the site on the A59 will exacerbate congestion on the busy road and many object to the use of greenbelt land.
 It is planned to take a further 300,000 cars off York's roads to contribute towards improving air quality, reduce congestion and reduce York's carbon output by 1,500 tonnes per year."
The Park & Ride project also represents one of the largest single investments in the city's transport infrastructure since the northern ring road was built, it will help to deliver one of the council's key priorities to 'Get York Moving' and will enable environmental improvements to be made to support the city's economy.
http://www.york.gov.uk/news/latestNews/PR2477

David Gambles

trentbarton Statement

Following our report on this Blog of trent barton experimenting with a double decker (http://www.focustransport2011.blogspot.com/2012/01/enviro-400-at-trent-barton.html), the Company has now made a statement following the two week trial with this Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 demonstrator:

 "A demonstration double deck bus has recently been used on the swift route to test customer opinion.

It’s been over 12 years since we’ve had a double decker in service. Designs have changed a good deal since then, so we had one on a two week trial for swift between Derby, Ashbourne and Uttoxeter.
Graham Price, Brand Manager for swift said; “We’ve had a really good reaction from customers and lots of feedback about the double decker, kids have loved travelling on the top deck, and there’s generally been lots more room for everyone.”
An independent researcher has handed out over 400 questionnaires, testing everything from style, comfort and ride quality through to the view from upstairs. We will publish the results in our next edition."
http://www.trentbarton.co.uk/newsletter/feb121/article/feb12b

Oliver Foreman

http://www.flickr.com/photos/focus_on_flickr/

Alternative London Tube Map

The first diagrammatic map of London's rapid transit network was designed by Harry Beck  in 1931. Beck was a London Underground employee who realised that because the railway ran mostly underground, the physical locations of the stations were irrelevant to the traveller wanting to know how to get to one station from another — only the topography of the railway mattered.

The 1933 version of the Tube Map

The diagrammatic map immediately became popular, and the Underground has used topological maps to illustrate the network ever since, although it has been modified a number of times. One of the major changes to be made to the revision of the Tube map put out in September 2009 was the removal of the River Thames which resulted in widespread international media attention and general disapproval from most Londoners. Based on this reaction, the following edition of the diagram in December 2009 reinstated both the river and fare zones.

Now Mark Noad of Mark Moad Design has produced an up to date alternative London Tube Map that shows all lines and stations in the correct geographical positions.

The map can be downloaded by clicking on the link below and by using the + and - keys you can zoom in to examine fine detail.
http://www.london-tubemap.com/
Thanks to Mark Noad who has given his permission to show the map on the Focus Blog. His website can be found on http://www.therightidea.co.uk/

All versions of the map over the years can be found on http://www.clarksbury.com/cdl/maps.html

David Gambles

X9 / X10 Passenger Survey Results - New Vehicles Ordered

PASSENGERS who responded to consultation from bus operator Go North East about improvements to the Tyne-Tees Express X9/X10 service are to be rewarded with new vehicles. New Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini's have been ordered.and will be introduced this summer as a direct result of the public consultation hosted by the bus operator. The order will represent an investment of £1.1 million by Go North East. 

X9/10 Survey Results (click to enlarge)

Martin Harris, Commercial Director of Go North East, said: “We’ve been looking at ways to better meet customers’ needs and we’re pleased that hundreds of people took the time to contact us. The results are reflected in the changes we will be making.

Go North East have have an impressive record of consulting with passengers and local authorities and even have a special section of their website displaying survey results.

http://www.simplygo.com/customer-consultation/

Go North East recently introduced Volvo B9TL's with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork into their fleet for the Red Arrows routes. (see above and below) and they have become a popular vehicle within the fleet 

 The X9/10 is currently operated by Volvo B7TL, Wright Eclipse Gemini with H45/29F seating (see below) but the buses cannot carry out a full days working without refuelling. They now have reached high mileages and are becoming unreliable. Although the current B7TL's are quiet, warm and comfortable on the upper deck, the new  B9TL's will be welcomed by passengers as well as operating and maintenance staff.

David Gambles

BSOG Reduction to Increase Bus Fares?

Bus companies will soon be hit by reductions in BSOG formally known as Fuel Duty Rebate and speculation is that fare rises and route cut backs will follow as a result. Bus companies have always been at a disadvantage compared to rail and air travel and BSOG was a way of levelling up the playing field. By tinkering with this rebate and now blatantly reducing it, the reality is that bus companies will have to recover it from fares.

By paying more for their fuel the bus companies will need
recover the costs through higher ticket prices.

The question must be asked why BSOG is being reduced whilst allowing rail and air travel total exemption from fuel taxes. Rail and some light rail systems such as the Tyne & Wear Metro just expect to be funded by government handouts and have never been in the real world of fares being set at a level to finance all maintenance future investment in rolling stock as well as making a profit.
In spite of the disadvantages the bus companies face, they manage to run services at competitive prices and each year invest in their fleet and in doing so demonstrate how real businesses are run. The forthcoming rebate reduction will hit passengers but the bus companies will be in the firing line.
TAS has published its latest survey of over 1,000 individual bus fares which shows that the average fare for a typical three-mile journey had risen from £1.74 in 2009 to £1.91 in 2011 - an increase of 9.8 per cent, slightly below the 10.1 per cent rise in the Retail Prices Index over the same period.
TAS Partnership operations director Steve Warburton warns that the reduction of BSOG in April could push fares up by over 5 per cent, risking a sharp drop in passenger numbers. “If we’re not careful, we could end up with a 1970s-style spiral of decline,” says Warburton.
Now, in a very late announcement, the Welsh Government has said that it will reduce its BSOG payments by 25% from 1 April 2012. The cut will effectively mean a 12p per litre rise in the cost of diesel for the Welsh bus operators. The decision and the short notice of the proposal have met criticism from Welsh operators. Padarn Bus MD, David Hulme, said, ‘In England there was about 18 months notice of the cut, we effectively only have two weeks to make service changes in line with the cut because of the notice we have to give. It’s the people who need the bus the most that will suffer the most"

David Gambles

East Midlands Trains Passengers Very Satisfied

East Midlands Trains passengers continue to be very satisfied with their service, according to the latest independent survey released on 26 January 2012 by national transport watchdog, Passenger Focus.
The survey, carried out in Autumn 2011, shows that an impressive 87% of passengers are satisfied with their service.

David Horne, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We’re really pleased with the latest set of satisfaction scores, which are a clear demonstration that our investment to improve our stations and trains is continuing to make a difference to passengers.

“However, we remain focused on delivering further improvements to the service we offer to ensure that satisfaction amongst our passengers continues to grow.”
East Midlands Trains continues to be one of the most punctual train operators in the country, according to the latest performance figures issued by Network Rail.  The performance figures, which cover the four-week period ending 7 January 2012, show that trains operated by East Midlands Trains recorded a punctuality figure of 92.5%.  The latest figures also signify a further improvement on East Midlands Trains’ moving annual average (MAA), which is now 93.2%.  This represents the best ever MAA figure for East Midlands Trains, and it is significantly higher than the national moving annual average figure of 91.6%.
http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-releases/2012/2012-01-26.aspx

85 year old Drives to Station via Railway Track

AN 85-year-old woman had a lucky escape after driving down a railway line for 80 yards after taking a wrong turn at a level crossing.

The woman had a 20-year-old man in her car as she drove towards Brockenhurst station in Hampshire's New Forest.
She turned on to the main line between Bournemouth and London Waterloo and drove for 80 yards on the tracks before her car came to a halt.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: "BTP and Hampshire Police officers attended the line near to Brockenhurst rail station after a report that a car had been driven on to the line from the level crossing.

"Paramedics from the South Central Ambulance Service were also called to the scene. An 85-year-old woman driver and 20-year-old man were in the car at the time have been treated for shock, but no other injuries have been reported.
"Officers were in attendance at the scene whilst the vehicle was removed by recovery vehicles."
Rail services in the area were disrupted as a result of the incident, with buses brought in to replace trains.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092522/Pensioner-takes-wrong-turn-level-crossing-drive-50-yards-TRAIN-TRACK.html

Metro Cleaners Want Free Travel Passes

A campaign is being run to win free travel perks for staff who clean the Tyneside Metro. The RMT said it was a “disgrace” they were not entitled to passes to get to and from work without paying. Now it is lobbying bosses of Nexus, which maintains and operates the rail system, to allow the concession. Britain’s biggest rail union says a significant number of about 70 network cleaners are South Tyneside-based. Craig Johnston, the RMT’s relief Northern regional organiser, said they earned the minimum wage of £6.08 an hour.
Station cleaning has been contracted to Hertfordshire-based Churchill Contract Services, a national firm with a Gateshead office so the staff are not employees of the Metro.

Nexus said it was the responsibility of the contractor to cover travel costs, but it would respond to the RMT’s correspondence.
A spokesman said: “It is not the responsibility of Nexus to provide free travel for Churchill workers.”
Metro customer services director Sharon Kelly said many independent companies employed hundreds of contractors and consultants across the Metro system. She added: “It is up to each employer what benefits they offer their own staff, and it would be unrealistic and unaffordable for Metro to provide free travel to everyone connected with it in this way.”

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/union_slams_disgrace_of_metro_cleaners_having_to_pay_1_4159853

Stagecoach - Britain’s best value bus operator

Research just published by transport specialists TAS found weekly bus travel with Stagecoach is on average 17.5% cheaper than other bus operators.
Stagecoach's average weekly ticket price of £13.27 - the lowest in the survey - was nearly £3 cheaper than the £16.09 average for other operators. TAS also found Stagecoach was up to 20% cheaper than other operators for weekly travel.
TAS analysed nearly 1,100 fares across different regions, area types and operators for its National Fares Survey 2011. The research covered Stagecoach, First, Go Ahead, Veolia Transdev, National Express, Arriva, independent operators, and municipal bus companies.
The last TAS National Fares Survey, published in 2009, also found Stagecoach was the best value major bus operator.

 The TAS 2011 survey also found that Stagecoach has:

• Six out of seven of the lowest single fares in the sample
• Half of the 12 lowest day ticket prices
• Seven out of 11 of the lowest weekly ticket prices
• The lowest average urban and non-urban single fares of the other major UK bus groups -  Arriva, First, Go Ahead and National Express - and also lower than Veolia Transdev
• Lower than inflation fare increases over the last two years

http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-releases/2012/2012-01-25.aspx

David Gambles

New FirstGroup Livery

FirstBus have unveiled their new livery as part of their ‘Better Journeys for Life’, a new brand promise which sets out the group’s aims and plans. One of the first visible signs of the new brand will be a new ‘refreshed’ livery which is being rolled out on First bus fleet across the UK (excluding London) in the next few weeks.
The new livery will have a standard template, however, there will be flexibility for local teams to customize certain areas of the vehicle’s exterior to prominently show town and city names or route specific identities – fitting in with the group’s desire to provide local services for local communities.

Link forwarded by Tony Wilson, Phil G and Steven Hodgson
http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2012/01/firstgroup-relaunches-uk-bus-division-with-new-local-liveries/


First have recently issued their Interim management Statement on trading during the third quarter from 1 October to 31 December 2011

UK Bus
Like-for-like passenger revenue increased by 1.8% during the period. As previously indicated, the weak
economic environment continues to present challenging trading conditions, particularly in Scotland and the
North of England, where a significant portion of our urban operations are concentrated. As a result we are
achieving lower growth rates in these areas as we see a widening north-south divide. Our priority remains to
maintain our strong cost discipline and focus while equipping our networks, as appropriate, for future growth.
UK Rail
During the period our rail division delivered another strong performance with like-for-like passenger revenue
increased by 8.0%. We are pleased that the Department for Transport initiated the pre-qualification process
for the Thameslink and Great Western franchises and look forward to bidding for these as well as progressing
further new franchise opportunities as they emerge.

http://www.firstgroup.com/assets/pdfs/investors/presentations/Q3_IMS_January_2012.pdf

David Gambles

Indian bus driver goes on rampage

A bus driver mowed down pedestrians and rammed cars, scooters and food stalls, killing nine people and injuring 27 bystanders.
The driver, named as Santosh Maruti Mane, 'went berserk' on a 25km (17 mile) rampage during the morning rush hour, police said.
They chased the bus for 30 minutes through the streets of the central city of Pune, with traffic officers firing on it in an attempt to stop it.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091522/Indian-bus-driver-goes-rampage-Pune-killing-9-pedestrians-injuring-dozens.html

OK Scanias

Some views of OK liveried Scanias sent to us by Steven Hodgson.

© Steven Hodgson   (click to enlarge photo)

The Scania L94 Wrightbus Solars are being operated in Co Durham by Go North East in competition with Arriva North East. The OK livery has been revived in an effort to re-create the loyalty originally shown to this old established name.

Steven has also sent us the link at the bottom of the page, to an article in the Northern Echo, which covers the latest bus war between the two companies.

  © Steven Hodgson  

 © Steven Hodgson

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2012/01/24/Columnists:+Mike+Amos/9489261.Omnibus_edition/?ref=fbsend

Solution to Extra Carriages Dispute

Just before Christmas Northern Rail bowed to public pressure to add extra carriages to an early-morning Northumberland commuter train., but after just three days they were removed without warning bringing back misery to hundreds of commuters who use the “jam-packed” service travelling from Hexham to Newcastle every day.

It emerged that train drivers’ union Aslef raised health and safety concerns in an issue now dubbed “torchgate”. Concerns had been expressed about drivers having to walk the length of the train in the dark, to change ends. Hexham Conservative MP Guy Opperman offered in frustration, to buy torches for the drivers to solve the stand-off, but it appears drivers are already issued with torches and that it was really an industrial relations dispute.
Now, in a surprise move, the carriages are expected to be restored following an unscheduled meeting between the two sides where an “interim” agreement has been reached, with the extra carriages being hitched to the early morning 7.42am train from Hexham to Newcastle and Middlesbrough.
The service arrives early and shunts into a siding to allow a Glasgow service to pass by. Drivers used to walk inside the train to change cabs and take the train in the opposite direction, but when an extra multiple unit is connected there is no gangway connection and there no walkway between the extra carriages.
The deal involves an “understanding” between top company officials and the union.

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/01/23/northern-rail-to-add-carriages-to-tynedale-train-61634-30178655/

Olympic Traffic Chaos?

As Transport for London continue their intricate plans to keep traffic moving during the Olympic period, dire predictions of Olympic traffic chaos is made by global traffic experts INRIX - the firm which provides vital real-time traffic information to hundreds of sat-nav and mobile phone providers, including car giants, the BBC and Sky News. 

The report says the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday 27th July clashes with one of the busiest holiday getaway weekends of the summer when traffic levels are already around 30 per cent above average. It is based on its detailed data of current historic traffic flows gathered over many years - including disruption caused by major sporting or cultural events - combined with their prior diary knowledge of Olympic and other events planned this summer. In the 'worst case scenario' the Olympic opening ceremony could be held in 'a half empty stadium' because the other half are stuck in a jam.
The firm's lead scientist and traffic analyst Greg Hallsworth said the weekend of 27th, 28th and 29th July will be worst: 'Traditionally this is one of the busiest holiday getaway weekends of the year, combine this with the Olympic opening ceremony and the Men's road cycling race and we could have the perfect traffic storm.'

This all comes at a time when Transport providers are working on their plans to move the vast numbers of participants and spectators. Coaches and buses will be provided with transponders to change traffic lights in their favour with resultant delays to other forms of traffic.

Nearly 100,000 ticket-holders are expected at the opening ceremony, with tens of thousands of visitors anticipated at the 'live' sites at Hyde Park and Victoria Park. 'Couple this with the thousands of roads closed for the Men's Road Cycling event and the result is huge stress on the UK's road networks ' say INRIX.

By contrast, elite Olympic VIPs will be spared the jams because they have exclusive use of more than 250 miles of the nation's busiest roads. Up to 80,000 officials, sponsors, politicians and athletes - dubbed 'the Games Family' - will be whisked seamlessly down specially reserved congestion-free lanes, putting further pressure on surrounding roads. Drivers straying into the Olympic Lanes face crippling fixed- penalties and, says the AA, fines up to £5,000 for those who challenge them.

Transport for London today criticised the report saying it had been written 'without foundation' was 'wholly inaccurate' and based on out-of date data.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2088293/London-2012-Olympics-A-perfect-traffic-storm-bring-chaos-city.html
Meanwhile all businesses are being encouraged to review their logistics operations, including the impact of delivery curfews. Liaison is ongoing with local authorities on curfews and out-of-hours deliveries to ensure businesses do not run out of supplies. Storage containers are to be used as temporary stockrooms by shopping centres and space is being allocated according to the needs of each tenant and plans have been drawn up to keep ATM's topped up with cash.

Manchester Trams in Trouble

click to enlarge picture

Following a series of breakdowns during the past week on the Manchester tram system, Graham Stringer, MP for Broughton and Blackley, said failures on the Metrolink network services over the past week are "unacceptable". Manchester's tram network is "unreliable" and is "damaging the city's reputation and economy", the local MP said.
"Transport for Manchester and the tramline operators have to get their act together and ensure that when people get on a tram it gets to the destination that it says on the front."
The Greater Manchester Metrolink service includes 32 T68 trams, many which are more than 20 years old, and 15 newer M5000 trams.        The following breakdowns took place last week

• Tuesday 17^th January – points failures at both Cornbrook and Trafford Bar which caused delays for the Altrincham, Eccles/MediaCityUK and St Werburgh’s services.
• Wednesday 18^th January – a tram broke down at Piccadilly Gardens causing widespread disruption.
• Thursday 19^th January – a tram broke down on Mosley Street causing disruption for the Altrincham, Eccles/MediaCityUK and St Werburgh’s Road services.
• Friday 20^th January – a tram broke down at Prestwich during the afternoon causing delays to trams to and from Bury.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16699824

click to enlarge picture

Focus Transport was told this week that the newer trams are failing to work correctly with the signalling on the new extensions of the tram system which is causing delays in opening the latest sections of track.

Metrolink is currently undergoing a £1.4bn ‘big bang’ expansion that will see new lines opening to Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton East Didsbury and Manchester Airport. The next stage of the expansion project has been hit by delays due to problems introducing with a new computer system that will control points and signals and pinpoint the location of every tram.

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1471553_metrolink-chiefs-review-plans-to-replace-unreliable-older-trams-after-four-break-down-in-a-fortnight

Metrolink is currently undergoing a £1.4bn ‘big bang’ expansion that will see new lines opening to Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton East Didsbury and Manchester Airport. The next stage of the expansion project has been hit by delays due to problems with a new computer system that will control points and signals and pinpoint the location of every tram.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1471553_metrolink-chiefs-review-plans-to-replace-unreliable-older-trams-after-four-break-down-in-a-fortnight

Check here http://focustransport2011.blogspot.com/  for the latest news

David Gambles

Metrolink is currently undergoing a £1.4bn ‘big bang’ expansion that will see new lines opening to Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton East Didsbury and Manchester Airport. The next stage of the expansion project has been hit by delays due to problems introducing with a new computer system that will control points and signals and pinpoint the location of every tram.

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1471553_metrolink-chiefs-review-plans-to-replace-unreliable-older-trams-after-four-break-down-in-a-fortnight

30,000 Leeds Bus Lane Offenders

A Leeds city centre enforcement camera snapping motorists illegally nipping into bus lanes to avoid traffic congestion is proving a mega money spinner for the council with the number of offenders reaching almost 30,000.

In the six months since the cameras were introduced around the city, 29,325 drivers have been fined a total of £712,000 for flouting the bus lane regulations.
And nearly 30 per cent of the total - 8,678 - were caught breaching the restrictions at just one location - the Vicar Lane, Headrow-Eastgate junction where motorists should turn left down Lady Lane.
Cameras could now be extended to other bus lanes.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/30_000_flout_new_leeds_bus_lane_rules_1_4170030

Coun Richard Lewis, council executive member for development, said:  “It is addressing the problem of selfish drivers blocking bus lanes and slowing down buses, with knock-on effects to other road users across the city centre.

Focus Comment
It is a pity that other cities where bus lane abuse is rife do not take this matter seriously. Newcastle upon Tyne is a free for all with bus and "no car" lanes regulations being abused almost every minute of the day. If rules are not enforced it encourages disrespect by those who think the law is for other people to obey. The Leeds scheme shows that if a council invests in enforcement, it can pay for itself in a short space of time.

6233 Duchess of Sutherland returns to the main line

A special main line tour using LMS Princess Coronation Class 4-6-2 Pacific, Duchess of Sutherland, 6233 is planned for  Wednesday 28th March 2012. The Duchess Night Owl will run to Crewe from Hathersage, Chesterfield, Belper and Derby. This train is being run as a main line loaded test run following the 'Heavy General' overhaul of the locomotive.
On Saturday 21st April the engine will haul The Yorkshire Coronation to Scarborough.
http://www.prclt.co.uk/New_Tours.html
Details of the locomotive's overhaul can be found on the  princess Royal Class website where photos of the engine newly painted in BR green can be found.

http://www.prclt.co.uk/index2.html

6233 pictured above and below on the Settle & Carlisle line at Kirkby Stephen. 

Aston Manor Relocation - Latest

Ken Jones updates us on the relocation of the exhibits from the now closed Aston Manor Transport Museum.


In December 2011 "Aldridge News on Line" carried the following paragraph

Aston Manor Road Transport Museum has relocated with all it's Historic vehicles & Buses from Birmingham to Aldridge in the Former Jack Allen dustcart production line building off Northgate. Geoff Lusher, museum chairman, and Richard Gray the finance director hope that the move to Aldridge will be the start of a secure future for the vehicle Museum, but nothing is formalised yet and the future is still uncertain. Volant Passenger Vehicle Solutions, the company which also uses the building in Aldridge, near Walsall, hopes to convert part of the building into a bus refurbishment business and bus manufacturing site. The owners of the building, Jack Allen Holdings Ltd, has given the museum an initial six months rent free with the hope of a 10-year lease to follow. Matt Shenton, from Volant, said: "The museum will be located into one half of the building and the other side of the building will be where our bus production line will be. "There will be viewing areas where you can look through and actually see the production in progress."

The situation is still on-going, the AMRTM buses currently occupying both parts of the building so plenty of room between vehicles at present.

So with permission from the museum staff Ken Jones went to take a look and sent the following pictures.
The collection is currently not open to members of the public.

LOG 302 A 1954 Daimler CLG5 with H30/25R Metro-Cammell bodywork 
    

6370 HA A BMMO D9 from 1964, alongside SOS SON built by BMMO for Trent

JOJ 222 A 1950 Leyland PD2/1 with Park Royal body withdrawn in 1969.

XNX 136H A1970 Leyland Leopard with Alexander Y type body new to Stratford Blue and 
later worked forMidland Red North

A110 WVP A MCW Metrobus MKII from 1984

VDA 512J a dust cart outside the building said to be the first dust cart produced at this site by Jack Allen 
All photos © Ken Jones

Google Trains?

Google Maps is collaborating with thetrainline.com to allow travellers to search for train journeys across mainland Britain by incorporating information about more than 2,500 railway stations and 170,000 routes nationwide, as well as 8,000 bus stops and more than 250 tube stations.
When looking at the normal Google Maps page click "Get directions" and enter your origin and destination locations. Then click the train icon for public transport directions and easily viewable train routes on the map. Users can also use the desktop service on their mobiles, but so far there is no word on whether the Google Maps app on smartphones will include the new developments.
The Guardian tested the feature by checking the route from their offices in north London to Edinburgh. Google suggests it would take six hours and 52 minutes to drive to the destination, but the same journey by train would take four hours and 29 minutes using an East Coast train from King's Cross. They double-checked the information on thetrainline.com website and it produced the same train from King's Cross.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jan/19/google-maps-uk-rail-travel
I checked a journey from Newcastle to Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland and when clicking the public transport icon was given a rather illogical train journey to Wylam and then the suggestion of driving or a taxi to my Heddon-on-the-Wall destination. The correct answer is to catch a 684/685 bus direct on a 23 minute journey  via the old A69 to Heddon so the fact that the Google system isn't programmed to recognise bus routes will no doubt cause confusion to strangers to a particular area.
The next stage will be for Google maps to incorporate the bus details from Traveline - over to you Google!

More from Peterborough

Here are more pictures taken of the local transport scene in Peterborough by Stuart Jones

All photos © Stuart Jones

Enviro 400 at trent barton

Change of vehicle policy at trent barton?

trent barton has not run double deckers for several years. Indeed, Commercial Director Alex Hornby has told Focus Transport that it was Company policy NOT to run double deckers (though he added that circumstances may change that). Recently it was announced that trent barton was trying out an Enviro 400 double deck demonstrator on the swift service (Derby - Ashbourne - Uttoxeter). It is thought that a double decker is required for school children on the section between Ashbourne and Uttoxeter.

© Oliver Foreman

On Saturday 21 January 2012, several bus enthusiasts needed to reach Mackworth for an Omnibus Society meeting. The only route that served the venue is swift. We went to catch the 1225 departure from Derby and, though it was a non-school day, the Alexander Dennis demonstrator was our vehicle! It gave us a noticeably smooth and comfortable ride. One feature upstairs was that the interior lights continually changed colour throughout our journey.

More pictures on Focus on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/focus_on_flickr/

Oliver Foreman

New Enviro 200's for Stagecoach North East

Stagecoach North East have taken delivery of their new Enviro 200's so I made a trip to South Shields to see them in action. They follow previous batches on Enviro 200 bodied vehicles in this modern fleet which now has an impressive low average age.
Previous deliveries of the Enviro 200 have included a batch of MAN 14.240's which, from the front, are visually similar. The emergency door position and window detail varies between the batches of Enviro 200's as can be seen from the photos below.
Further pictures of these vehicles and others in South Shields will be shown on our FocusFlickr site.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/focus_on_flickr/

One of the new Stagecoach North East Enviro 200's 36463 passes
39714 NK58 AGZ one of the MAN 14.240 versions of the Enviro 200.

36469 above is one of the new vehicles compared to 39714 one of the MAN 14.240's below. 
Note the differences in window sizing and position of the emergency door

27728 one of the NK11 batch of Enviro 200's. These have the
emergency door at the extreme rear of the nearside of the vehicle
All pictures © David Gambles

36471 NK61 ECW   Now, what does ECW remind me of?

All pictures © David Gambles

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