Road, Rail & Access Issues

[Aviador]

So the issues with First operating to the airport are inconclusive at the moment as the airport has denied access.

The Airport have advised First that they will award access to Centrebus for a service to Leeds but will not award access to First. The basis of their decision being the outcome of the process of evaluating each company’s development plans for the 757 service.
2.8.
Despite being notified that access to the airport will not be possible, First have registered to operate service 757 from the airport between 0700 and 1900 Monday to Saturday. At the time of writing, it was unclear as to how First intend to deal with that registration. A meeting is planned with First to resolve this.

 

[lbaspotter]

So the issues with First operating to the airport are inconclusive at the moment as the airport has denied access.

Not anymore. The issue about First been denied to the access to the airport has now been resloved. By looking at the above quote I guess you have been looking at the Agenda PDF for http://www.wyita.gov.uk meeting that was held on Wednesday, 7 April 2010. The Minutes PDF for that meeting have not been released as yet.

But today Metro updated there changing times website page with the above statement issued on there. http://www.wymetro.com/travelnews/ServiceChanges/buschanges.htm

I have heard that First made a complaint to the regulator about weather 2 commercial run service should be allowed to compete against each other. It was agreed by Metro, Centrebus and LBIA that First should be allowed Access into the Airport grounds as long as they dont compete on any of Centre buses tender evening and Sunday 757 services.

So the airport was overruled and they have had to back down on there decision so to allow both companies access to the airports bus terminals.

 

[Aviador]

True but the airport is entitled to disallow vehicle access to the terminal forecourt if they so choose. The airport is apparently going to use bylaws to do this.

 

[lbaspotter]

Aviador. As i previously stated in my last message the airport has now backed down on its decision to block First from entering the Airport forecourt. They will now allow both Centrebus and First bus into operate the 757 services as from Sunday, April 24th

 

[stevolba]

is there any news on a bus service to York?

 

[User0001]

Is it not the case that First ran the service as a Tendered Service in the first place,and that Metro has awarded the new tender to Centreline in the normal way? I believe that this is the case and that First just want to muscle in and continue as they did before, but this time as a commercial service.

 

[rmac]

What ever happened to the planned 969 (?) service from Guiseley Station to the airport. I see the Menston Otley Airport service is now to operate but thought the connection to Guiseley station might be quicker.

 

[lbaspotter]

Hi all

Good news guys. It has now been comfirmed that both Centrebus and First will be operting the 757 Airport bus services as the timetables are now viewable via the metro website.

See quote from the http://www.wymetro.com site below:

Changes to service 757 from Sunday 25 April 2010
From Sunday 25 April 2010, this service will be provided by Centrebus and First.

Centrebus will operate daily a service 757 from Leeds Bradford International Airport to Leeds Bus Station every half hour from 0500 until 2000 and then hourly until midnight. In Leeds City Centre the service will operate towards the bus station via The Headrow, Park Row, City Square, Boar Lane, Duncan Street and York Street. Journeys towards the Airport will operate via Leeds Rail Station and Wellington Street.

First will operate a half-hourly service 757 between 0700 and 1900, Monday to Saturday only.

Journeys between Otley, Pool and the Airport will now be provided by revised service 967 operated by TLC Travel, every half hour. This service will connect with departures on Centrebus's 757 service, allowing a six-minute interchange, and through tickets will be available.

And here are the timetables.

Centrebus (Huddersfield Bus Company)
http://www.wymetro.com/NR/rdonlyres...7C03D3C56BE1/0/757_Centrebus_bustimetable.pdf

First Leeds
http://www.wymetro.com/NR/rdonlyres...D6D-4BE50051E2A9/0/757_First_bustimetable.pdf

 

[Aviador]

For information, the Lib Dems are currently conducting a survey about traffic in the vicinity of the airport with traffic using the airport tunnel in particular. They are wanting to know if people think speeding measures should be put into place on the main A658.

 

[ls27]

The new arrangements for the 757 bus service looks as though there could be a 'bus wars' between the PTE and First Bus. First Bus will run 5 minutes before the Centrebus service. This is not a very passenger oriented service, but First bus trying to make a point that they should, and they will run the service.

 

[Aviador]

I agree and First never opted to improve the service before now, but now all of a sudden they think the service is profitable. Hmm! It sounds very much like a dirty tricks campaign against the new operator of the route.

 

[lbaspotter]

The new 767 Harrogate bus route operator Dales and District buses commenced operation this past weekend with the following branded Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Dennis Dart. MX10DXM single decker

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23137045@N00/4531045377/

Meanwhile the New Timetable has for the jointly operated 757 (First & Centrebus) Leeds bus services has now also reappeared on the Metro website today.

http://www.wymetro.com/NR/rdonlyres/6ED ... etable.pdf

 

[Bigman]

So, the big day approaches. I just hope that everything goes to plan with the new/amended services, particularly the Centrebus and TLC routes.

 

[lbaspotter]

Hey

I've just been shown the picture that is linked below and i have got to admit i dont like the new "Airport Direct " Branding on the Scania OmniCity single deck buses that Centrebuses has aquired for its new airport routes to both Leeds, 757 and Bradford 737 & 747 which commence operation this sunday.

Click here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/billogs/4545201313/

PS I will continue to use the 757 service thats operated by yeah you've guessed it First in Leeds as First Day Tickets are still useable on the whole network around Yorkshire and it also operates with newer Volvo Wright Eclipse single deckers with Leather Seats.

 

[Runway 32]

Surprised how dull that looks and how old the bus is!

 

[Aviador]

I think you'll find you're on your own lbaspotter. A bus is a bus and people will use either the first one that arrives or the cheapest.

 

[Bigman]

Tried out the new 737/747 yesterday. Spot on.

 

[White Heather]

I have to agree with lbaspotter on this. I have seen the 757 twice today and I have to say the livery is totally underwhelming. In my view, a bus company taking on this route should have to guarantee a livery and branding that makes it stand out from the crowd. The only thing about this bus that makes it stand out is that it is so boringly ordinary.

Personally, I am very disappointed that a company that doesn't even have a depot in Leeds (so presumably doesn't emply Leeds people) is operating this route. I am no fan of First, but at least they provide a huge number of jobs in the City and given the choice of buses I would opt for the First Bus. I noted today incidentally that the 757 I saw was actually a Volvo Wright Eclipse Double Decker, not a single decker, although I don't know if that was a one off or not.

 

[Aviador]

I think you will find it is in keeping with the new(soon to be) LBA gray/pink branding.

 

[lbaspotter]

I think you'll find you're on your own lbaspotter. A bus is a bus and people will use either the first one that arrives or the cheapest.

Well i think you may find that First Buses, Firstday tickets (Which can be used all day long on the Leeds Network) are far cheaper than the Return fares that Centrebus have on there Tendered 757 service.

With the centerbuses Return ticket it can only be used to make a 1 return journey on that piticual route. eg if bought on a 757 haeding towards the airport the tickek is only vaild on the return journey to Leeds.

Also it looks like Monday to Saturdays anyway First's 757 service is running 7 minutes in front Heading out of the airport towards Leeds and 5 minutes in front on the way back from the Leeds Rail Station to the Airport.

PS for this week only Centrebus are allowing Firstbus Day Tickets and Weekly Passes onboard there new Airport Direct 737, 747 and 757 routes. But there has already been several complaints as when a passenger gets on the service at Kirkstall and want to go to Leeds they ask for a Firstday (Dayrider) Centrebus are issueing there own return tickets without explaining that they are not vaild on Firstbus services. So beaware.