Secret services - Home — Bus Users UK1).pdfShropshire ouncil’s website now redirects enquiries...
Transcript of Secret services - Home — Bus Users UK1).pdfShropshire ouncil’s website now redirects enquiries...
We found this timetable case marked for the benefit of unsuspecting passengers by an unknown person.
The date on this timetable is 2 November 2015.
Secret services
The misleading and missing timetables of Shropshire
Any business wishing to thrive will ensure that its services are well
advertised, and accurately. In Shropshire, despite Council concerns about
the cost of subsidy for loss making services, existing and potential bus
customers are being left in the dark about bus services by missing or
erroneous bus time information.
Executive summary
Following several complaints about misleading or missing information Bus Users
Shropshire undertook a survey of timetable information across the unitary authority
of Shropshire. 5% of timetable cases were inspected in different parts of the county
between June and December 2015.
Our survey revealed that many bus stop timetables were
Out of date with incorrect times shown. Recently updated timetables were no
more accurate than older ones
Advertising services or routes that no longer run
Displaying service information for one operator only, but not all
Quoting only some of the departure timings, or some of the days of operation
Positioned where buses do not stop
Missing from places where buses do stop
Sometimes at a height that could not easily be read by most people.
Our inquiries uncovered some inaccuracies on Traveline information about
Shropshire bus services.
Printed and on line route maps had been discontinued by Shropshire Council and
printed timetables to take away were almost non existent, especially at Shropshire
Council run information facilities.
In short, we found that the public is not able to rely on the information published by
Shropshire Council on its ‘at stop’ timetable cases or on Traveline.
The sporadic implementation of basic Local Transport Authority responsibilities is
surprising given the importance placed on marketing and of ‘at stop’ timetables in
Shropshire Council’s Bus Strategy 2011-16.
The report highlights an opportunity for a ‘virtuous circle’ where additional and
much needed spending on service
information leads to more
journeys, more revenue and less
reliance on subsidy. The first
priority is adequate resourcing of
the Local Transport Authority’s
transport team to undertake basic
functions, and for a comprehensive
audit of all bus stops with timetable
cases to check their accuracy.
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Introduction
Following receipt of several complaints from bus customers Bus Users Shropshire
conducted a survey of roadside timetable information at bus stops and shelters to find out
just how bad the situation is.
The survey used reports from members of the public and members of Bus Users
Shropshire to identify erroneous or missing bus stop information. Many respondents used
the report form at Appendix 1. Survey information was received between June and
December 2015. Although the 44 bus stops reported on represent just over 5% of the total
number of bus stops that Shropshire Council says have ‘at stop information’ we have no
reason to believe our sample is not typical of the county as a whole.
The financial impact of bad information
We have not been able to assess how many people have not travelled as a result of ignorance of services. Shropshire Council’s ‘Bus Strategy for Shropshire 2011-2016’ acknowledges that ‘the delivery of an attractive quality public transport network is reliant upon a number of factors and is more than just the availability of a bus. [….] These include Bus information, marketing and promotion’. 27 The Strategy goes on to say that ‘the council recognises the importance of using marketing and promotions cost effectively, supported by timely and accurate information provision. These activities help raise awareness of services, which in turn generate revenue and reduce subsidy.’ A160
‘At stop’ versus ‘on line’ Shropshire Council says it recognises the importance of ‘at stop’ information. Their
Strategy states ‘the provision of timetable information at bus stops is seen as essential to
encouraging passengers by giving them sufficient information and security to choose public
transport.’ A184
Shropshire Council once maintained an on line presence, Shropshire Travel, with a map of
bus routes and a monthly travel newsletter which reported changes to bus timings across
the county. Having discontinued the printed maps of bus routes, in February 2015 the on
line service was also withdrawn and sporadic travel newsletters issued since have
concentrated on cycling, free parking, and park and ride with no mention of bus services.
Clearly bus services do not feature highly in Shropshire Council’s priorities.
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Shropshire Council’s website now redirects enquiries to Traveline, an on line journey
planner. While useful for many things, on line journey planners require the traveller to
already know the bus route number, or the days of operation and approximate times of
services and destinations available. As the Shropshire Bus Strategy implies, it is unable to
provide a passenger with the security that a bus stops at this stop at a particular time.
Any data base can only be as good as the information provided to it. We found several
examples of inaccuracy on Traveline’s timetables. Traveline is unable to provide any
information about X11 service Ludlow to Builth Wells or 738/740 Ludlow to Knighton (it
recommends the journey be undertaken via Leominster and Kington, or by train via Craven
Arms). This is especially galling as Shropshire Council provides service 738/740 under
subsidy. Route 141 Ludlow to Bridgnorth shows as operating Monday to Friday when in
fact it was withdrawn in July 2015. Route 723 shows on Traveline as running from Ludlow
to Cleobury Mortimer when it has terminated at Coreley for several years.
What Shropshire Council told us
In response to earlier concerns raised with Shropshire Council’s Highways and Transport
Department we were told that they were aware that bus stop information had become out
of date, but that they had issued a contract to ‘Ringway’ to ensure its accuracy. They said
that in their role of Local Transport Authority they are automatically informed by operators
of impending service changes 56 days before changes take effect so there would be time
enough for them to inform Ringway to update the relevant timetable cases.
The results of this survey suggest that this arrangement is not working and our visits to two
of Shropshire’s towns indicated a very low level of accuracy indeed. There may be a
backlog of changes from previous years of which Ringway are perhaps ignorant, or perhaps
not contracted to update, or it may be that for some years Shropshire Council has denuded
the function at Shirehall and their own records are wanting.
Furthermore, and perhaps more troubling still, brand new timetables issued as recently as
2 November 2015 failed to mention service changes that took place in the summer. This
calls into question the efficacy even of Shropshire Council’s new improved arrangements.
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Market Drayton - a case in point 1
At a public meeting in Market Drayton on 7 November a member of the public said they
had heard that service 164 to Newcastle no longer ran on Sundays. We checked the
timetable at the town’s Bus Station where the timetable showed a service every two
hours. Traveline did not mention a Sunday service however. A phone call to Bennetts
Travel next day confirmed that they were unsuccessful in bidding to continue the contract
and had ceased on 30 August. We rang Staffordshire Council and checked their service
changes in order to know definitively what the lady at the meeting had heard on the
grapevine. If members of Bus Users Shropshire, who generally know where to look, have
this much difficulty finding out about services what hope has the general public?
We asked for timetable information at the Shropshire Council run library,
and at the Festival Drayton Centre, but neither venue had bus information.
Perversely, despite showing wrongly that there is a Sunday service to
Newcastle, the Bus Station had no display for the Monday to Saturday 164
service to Hanley. Most Bus Station times were wrong: the 64 service to
Shrewsbury instead displayed times at Farcroft Drive, the 75 service to
Nantwich showed Adderley Road, the 301 showed High Street and the 302 Rowan Street.
The Bus Station also displayed an Arriva timetable for route 64 from 2012.
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Ludlow – a case in point 2
The sheltered and unsheltered stops
outside the Assembly Rooms are the
terminus for most services in Ludlow
(though service 435 to Shrewsbury does
not call there). We found that the new
timetable dated 2 November 2015 said
that service 490 from Leominster
operates Monday to Friday ignoring that
Herefordshire Council added a twice
daily Saturday service from 12
September. The timetable display also
had errors in the timings of 738/740 to
Knighton.
The bus stop on Corve Street (pictured on front cover) is
dated 2 November 2015. The unsheltered bus stop is the
starting point for 435 to Shrewsbury. It wrongly said that
the 435 has no Saturday departures. It also showed the
2L service to Kidderminster running every 90 minutes
when the frequency is two hourly, and did not mention
738/740 to Knighton at all. It showed a daily service
(Monday to Friday) to Bridgnorth that discontinued in
July. The bus stop at Old Street has an empty timetable
case (pictured).
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What we found
Our survey of bus stop information revealed that many ‘at stop’ timetables were
Out of date with incorrect times shown. Recently updated timetables were no more
accurate than older ones
Advertising services or routes that no longer run
Displaying service information for one operator only, but not all
Quoting only some of the departure timings, or some of the days of operation
Positioned where buses do not stop
Missing from places where buses do stop
Sometimes at a height that could not easily be read by most people.
Our inquiries uncovered some inaccuracies on Traveline.
In short, the public is not able to rely on the information published by Shropshire Council
on its ‘at stop’ timetable cases or on Traveline.
Availability of bus information at staffed tourist centres
Intending travellers might reasonably expect tourist information centres and libraries to
stock copies of bus timetables as a service to residents and to visitors. We did not find this
to be the case in Shropshire.
As mentioned earlier, neither of Market Drayton’s two main information points, the public
library nor the Festival Drayton Centre, had any bus time information.
Ludlow provides a tourist centre independently of Shropshire Council that does stock bus
time information (though this did include one for route 141 that no longer operates).
Shrewsbury’s smart, new tourist information centre housed in the Museum and Art Gallery
had no bus times. The information bureau at Shrewsbury’s train station contains no
leaflets and did not display timetables for buses (even though Shrewsbury bus station gives
a large proportion of its display space to train times).
Even Shrewsbury bus station’s ‘Traveltime and News’ shop has empty racks for timetable
leaflets.
We ask how people are supposed to make journeys when they do not know where buses
run to, a theme continued below in relation to maps.
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Route maps
Printed route maps and most timetable leaflets were withdrawn a few years ago by
Shropshire Council, despite the statements made in the Bus Strategy about the importance
of marketing. Other counties, such as Herefordshire and Devon, continue to produce
useful map and bus time information electronically and/or in print. This is something we
think Shropshire should again be promoting as part of an overhaul of bus information. How
can people use bus services if they do not know what is available? Devon and
Herefordshire’s approach encourage more people to use bus services: greater revenue will
lead to commercial viability of some and lower levels of subsidy for others.
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Going for ‘win win’
For people to be able to use bus services they need to know where and when they run.
In recent years Shropshire Council has cut away its provision for information on bus
services. Shropshire Council’s new web page ‘the Big Conversation’ states an intention of
cutting a further £470,000 from the bus budget from April 2016 onwards.
http://shropshire.gov.uk/big-conversation/community-run-services/
Even in a time of relatively scarce funds this needs to be reversed for two reasons
It will greatly assist residents and visitors wishing to use bus services
As their own Strategy argues, it will increase bus use and lead to increased revenue
with less need for subsidy.
This is truly a ‘win win’ situation.
We believe the situation to be sufficiently serious as to need a comprehensive audit of
every bus stop, whether currently in use or not, to ascertain which timetable cases need
updating or removing or replacing, and for new timetables to be issued. Nothing less
should be expected of our ‘Local Transport Authority’. A simple route map of the county
would also be an effective tool for marketing Shropshire’s bus routes to local residents and
to visitors and it should be promoted at Council run premises (libraries and information
points etc), at other key venues, and at train stations.
For this to happen Shropshire Council needs to resource its Local Transport Authority team
to ensure that current and future service changes are recorded and notified to those who
need to know, at Traveline, at their printers/contractor, and on Shropshire’s own website.
Acknowledgements
Grateful thanks are extended to all those members of the public who contacted us with
information about bus stops in their area.
Bus Users Shropshire
December 2015
c/o Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AE
www.bususers.org
07580 564458
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Appendix 1
Proforma for reporting bus stop information
Appendix 2
Map showing approximate locations of bus stops for which survey information was
provided
Appendix 3
Shropshire Star news report 31 August 2015
Appendix 4
Detailed listings of inaccurate, missing or partial bus stop information
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Appendix 1
Proforma for reporting bus stop information
Which bus stops have missing or out of date bus information?
Send to BUS, c/o Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AE or [email protected]
Your name and contact details (in case we need to clarify something):
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Street address, town + post code
if known
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected?
Date when you saw this bus stop
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Street address, town + post code
if known
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected?
Date when you saw this bus stop
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
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Street address, town + post code
if known
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected?
Date when you saw this bus stop
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Appendix 2
Map showing approximate locations of bus stops for which survey information was
provided
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Bridgnorth
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Appendix 3
Shropshire Star news report 31 August 2015
Media release from Bus Users Shropshire
Local campaigners are looking for people’s help to collect evidence of the poor state of
the county’s bus information at many bus stops. Bus Users Shropshire is frustrated that
the statutory body responsible, Shropshire Council, is failing to ensure up to date and
accurate information about bus services is available to would be passengers.
‘A very basic part of an effective service is having up to date and accurate information
about services at all main bus stops. Unfortunately across Shropshire we know of many
bus stops with no information, with out of date information, with information about only
some of the services that stop there, or bus stops at places where no buses stop,’ said
Peter Gilbert of Bus Users Shropshire. ‘We would like to hear from people in all parts of
the county of stops they know to have missing or wrong information.’
The survey needs to know: the bus routes affected, the exact location of stop with
description, direction of travel, what’s wrong about the information, date you saw the
stop. A simple form to record the information can also be found at
www.bususers.org/your-local-group/bus-users-shropshire or sent on request to Bus
Users Shropshire, c/o Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AE or
[email protected] or 07580 564458.
END OF RELEASE
Photos for your use
Caption: Bus user Keith Gallop finds a blank timetable case at this stop on Copthorne
Road in Frankwell, Shrewsbury
Caption: A confused bus passenger by Sainsbury’s in Oswestry where buses do not stop
despite the timetables displayed there
Caption: A misleading stop in Ludlow. Despite the timetables, no buses stops here.
For news editors
Bus Users Shropshire was formed in 2011 in response to significant cuts in Shropshire
Council’s public transport budget. It has successfully campaigned for Sunday services in
Shrewsbury and for strengthening of route 490 into Ludlow. The group is active in most
parts of Shropshire and has held successful public meetings in Whitchurch, Oswestry,
Bridgnorth, Bishops Castle and Shrewsbury. We will be holding a public meeting in
Market Drayton on 7 November 2015. For further information about Bus Users
Shropshire contact
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Appendix 4
Detailed listings of inaccurate, missing or partial bus stop information
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
64 timetable shows times at Farcroft Drive not Bus Station
75 timetable shows times at Adderley Road not Bus Station
301 timetable shows times at High Street not Bus Station
302 timetable shows times at Rowan Road not Bus Station
Street address, town + post code
if known
Bus Station, Towers Lawn, Market Drayton
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Bus Shelter
Direction of travel N/A
Which bus route numbers are affected? 64, 75, 301, 302
Date when you saw this bus stop 7 November 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No times are shown for service 164 to Hanley.
The route diagram for service 341/342 shows Shrewsbury instead of
Wellington/Telford.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Bus Station, Towers Lawn, Market Drayton
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Lamp Post
Direction of travel N/A
Which bus route numbers are affected? 164, 341/342
Date when you saw this bus stop 7 November 2015
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1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
The times for service 70 and Tanat Valley service 449 are missing
Street address, town + post code
if known
Whittington Road, Whittington
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Opposite Garrison Avenue junction
Direction of travel Towards Oswestry
Which bus route numbers are affected? 70 and 449
Date when you saw this bus stop 27 September 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
The times for Tanat Valley service 449 are missing
Street address, town + post code
if known
Whittington Road, Whittington
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Garrison Avenue junction
Direction of travel Towards Whittington village
Which bus route numbers are affected? 449
Date when you saw this bus stop 27 September 2015
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1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Route 70/X70 timetable is shown here but it actually stops 50m south west by
mini roundabout
Street address, town + post code
if known
Black Gate Street, Oswestry
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Sainsburys
Direction of travel Towards Shrewsbury
Which bus route numbers are affected? 70/X70
Date when you saw this bus stop 21 August 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No timetable for route 436
Street address, town + post code
if known
A458, Cross Houses
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Bus shelter
Direction of travel Towards Shrewsbury
Which bus route numbers are affected? 436
Date when you saw this bus stop 12 June 2015
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1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Out-of-date timetable (dated 31.08.2014) showing Sunday service.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Lancaster Road – Aynesworth Green.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
No. 25 Arriva bus stop. Bus stop sign and timetable on pole
Direction of travel From Harlescott to Shrewsbury Bus Station.
Which bus route numbers are affected? No.25.
Date when you saw this bus stop 7.07.2015 – and still showing on 5.10.2015.
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Out-of-date timetable – still showing Bryn Melyn bus times, but should be a
G&H timetable by now. Apparently only Saturday bus times have changed
since G&H Coaches took over, and last Saturday (after several requests) I
did obtain a printed copy of the new Saturday times.
Bryn Melyn timetable (at bus stop) covers two journeys, i.e. Ellesmere to
Shrewsbury and vice versa, which implies that both routes pick up from the
same side of the road. As a regular user I am aware to wait opposite if
travelling to Ellesmere, but it must be confusing for new travellers.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Battlefield Way.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Near to rear of Stadco. Bus stop sign and timetable on pole.
Direction of travel From Ellesmere to Shrewsbury Bus Station.
Which bus route numbers are affected? 501
Date when you saw this bus stop 7.07.2015 – and still showing on 5.10.2015
I am pleased to say that today I noticed the multi-route bus timetable (which is displayed in a glass case alongside train timetables near the bus station street level entrance and escalator to the Charles Darwin shopping centre) has been updated. This timetable was very outdated, showing Sunday buses, and has only been changed within the last week or so.
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1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No information
Street address, town + post code
if known
Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury, SY3
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Frankwell St Georges
Direction of travel Towards town centre
Which bus route numbers are affected? 1, 12, 20, D74, X75, 552, 553, 558
Date when you saw this bus stop 21 August 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No information
Street address, town + post code
if known
Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury, SY3
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Bricklayers Arms
Direction of travel Towards town centre
Which bus route numbers are affected? 1, 12, 20, D74, X75, 552, 553, 558
Date when you saw this bus stop 21 August 2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No information
Street address, town + post code
if known
Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Dave Mellor Cycles
Direction of travel From town centre
Which bus route numbers are affected? 1, 12, 20, D74, X75, 552, 553, 558
Date when you saw this bus stop 21 August 2015
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1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Timetable holder, but no time table.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Stapleton Road, Moneybrook Way, Meole Brace.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Outside Moneybrook Way Flats
Direction of travel To Bayston Hill
Which bus route numbers are affected? 27
Date when you saw this bus stop 12/7/2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Timeholder but no timetable.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Lythwood Road, Bayston Hill
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
By Butchers Lane.
Direction of travel To Shrewsbury
Which bus route numbers are affected? 27
Date when you saw this bus stop 28/7/2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Timetable holder but no timetable.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Dogpole, Shrewsbury
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
A very central and well –used location!
Direction of travel Out of Shrewsbury
Which bus route numbers are affected? Various, including 1, 3,8, 23, 26, 27, 544 , 81,96, X5.
Date when you saw this bus stop 28/7/2015
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1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No timetable in time table holder.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Lyth Hill Road, Bayston Hill.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Last bus stop in Bayston Hill when en route to Shrewsbury.
Direction of travel To Shrewsbury.
Which bus route numbers are affected? 27, Shrewsbury to Bayston Hill. 544, Shrewsbury to Lyth Hill..
Date when you saw this bus stop 9th July 2015 approx..
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No timetable in time table holder.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Mary Webb Road, Moneybrook Way, Meole Brace.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel To Shrewsbury.
Which bus route numbers are affected? 27, Shrewsbury to Bayston Hill
Date when you saw this bus stop 12th July 2015.
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No time table in time table holder.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Maesbrook Road, Moneybrook Way, Meole Brace.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel To Shrewsbury.
Which bus route numbers are affected? 27, Shrewsbury to Bayston Hill.
Date when you saw this bus stop 12th July 2015.
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As the Local Transport Authority you have the responsibility for the updating of bus stop and bus shelter timetables. There are problems with how this is being done (or not done) at present. You can see one of the problems from the attached photo. The new timetable was stuck onto the outside of the timetable holder, stuck on poorly, and within days was blowing loose and was soon gone. This particular bus stop is in Abbey Foregate, opposite Home Bargains. But from the complete absence of timetables at other stops I also use, my guess is that this has also happened elsewhere. A second problem at bus stops within Shrewsbury is that the only service details listed on the timetables are the Arriva buses, even though the routes are served by buses from a number of companies. There are no details of those services at all (such as the GHA buses) on the bus stops on their routes within the town. Outside of Shrewsbury, timetables do detail services by more than one company. Yesterday I used the bus stop with the brick-built shelter at Atcham, but that has an out-of-date timetable in it, listing some buses which no longer run. These are examples of an overall very poor service. This is worse than useless. Not so long back the Council invested in replacement bus stops across Shrewsbury designed to show real-time bus service details - a complete waste of money as there was not the funding to sustain this. We now have the low-tec version which is poorer than it ever was. If you cannot afford to show accurate information, it would be more honest to remove timetables completely. The present situation is a liability, deceiving and confusing bus users.
24
From:
Subject: FW: Shrewsbury Bus Station go to Tilstock Crescent
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2015 15:45:30 +0100
Good afternoon,
Following the article in Monday's Shropshire Star, I attach below email correspondence I have had
regarding the buses to & from Sutton Farm, Shrewsbury.
The old timetables are STILL on the bus stops/ lampposts in our area, in fact the timetable just in to
Springfield Estate shows the timetable for 8A & 8B buses dated January 2015 -these no longer run!
If passengers don't have the correct timetables at bus stops, how are they going to know when the buses
run? This will lead to people making alternative arrangements meaning fewer passengers and will result
in services being withdrawn "due to lack of numbers" using the buses.
I hope this is if use to your survey.
Regards
25
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Timetable shown is 4½ years out of date as it was changed from half hourly to
hourly in November 2010
Street address, town + post code
if known
Swiss Farm Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8XB
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Near junction with Mytton Oak Road
Direction of travel Towards town centre
Which bus route numbers are affected? 12
Date when you saw this bus stop 12 June 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No Information
Street address, town + post code
if known
Wenlock Road, Shrewsbury
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Opposite Armoury Gardens
Direction of travel Towards town centre
Which bus route numbers are affected? 8, 436
Date when you saw this bus stop 4 September 2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
There is no timetable for service 64 from Shrewsbury to Market Drayton
The list of services does not include 64 Shrewsbury to Market Drayton
Street address, town + post code
if known
Bus Station, Raven Meadows, Shrewsbury
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Stand S
Direction of travel N/A
Which bus route numbers are affected? 64
26
Date when you saw this bus stop 7 November 2015
27
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Shows timetables for routes 101 and 890 were replaced five weeks earlier by
route 436 (not shown)
Street address, town + post code
if known
Sydney Cottage Drive, Bridgnorth
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Post Office
Direction of travel Towards Bridgnorth town centre and Shrewsbury
Which bus route numbers are affected? 436
Date when you saw this bus stop 28 August 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Shows timetables for routes 99/99A and 890 which were replaced five weeks
earlier by route 9 (not shown). Shows timetable for route 436 which is five weeks
out of date
Street address, town + post code
if known
Bridge Street, Bridgnorth
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Falcon Hotel
Direction of travel Towards High Town
Which bus route numbers are affected? 9, 436
Date when you saw this bus stop 28 August 2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Shows timetables for route 88A/99/99A which were replaced five weeks earlier
by route 9 (not shown) Described as Harp Inn but stop is 40m to the south
Street address, town + post code
if known
High Street, Bridgnorth
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Tesco Express
Direction of travel Towards Low Town
Which bus route numbers are affected? 9
Date when you saw this bus stop 28 August 2015
28
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Shows timetables for route 99/99A and 890 which were replaced five weeks
earlier by route 9 (not shown)
Street address, town + post code
if known
Old Smithfield, Bridgnorth
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Sainsburys
Direction of travel All
Which bus route numbers are affected? 9
Date when you saw this bus stop 28 August 2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Shows timetable for route 101 which was replaced eight weeks earlier by route
436 (not shown)
Street address, town + post code
if known
Lodge Lane, Bridgnorth
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Junction with Birchlands
Direction of travel Towards High Town
Which bus route numbers are affected? 436
Date when you saw this bus stop 15 September 2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Shows timetable for route 101 which was replaced eight weeks earlier by route
436 (not shown)
Street address, town + post code
if known
Lodge Lane, Bridgnorth
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Shops
Direction of travel Towards High Town
Which bus route numbers are affected? 436
Date when you saw this bus stop 15 September 2015
29
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
490 shows no Saturday services, when there are.
738, 740 incorrectly shown.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Ludlow outside Assembly Rooms
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Shelter
Direction of travel From Ludlow
Which bus route numbers are affected? 490, 738, 740
Date when you saw this bus stop 490 shows no Saturday services, when there are.
738, 740 incorrectly shown.
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Incorrectly shows route 26 travelling from here to town centre and on to
Harlescott.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Washford Road, Meole, Shrewsbury SY3.
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Picture below
Direction of travel South side of road
Which bus route numbers are affected? 26
Date when you saw this bus stop 2/12/2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Incorrectly shows route 546 stopping at this stop. Timings for other stops don’t
agree with current timetable.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Washford Road, Meole, Shrewsbury SY3
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Picture below
Direction of travel South side of road though timetable case says buses to town stop at this stop.
30
Which bus route numbers are affected? 546
Date when you saw this bus stop 10 Nov 2015
31
Which bus stops have missing or out of date bus information? Send to BUS, c/o Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, 5 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury SY1 2AE [email protected] Your name and contact details (in case we need to clarify something): 1. About this bus stop – what’s wrong with the information or timetable displayed 723 Timetable is wrong: it says to Cleobury Mortimer, and that should be updated as it only goes as far as Coreley now. 2L Timetable is missing 155 timetable is wrong: This service only runs on schooldays, but it says Monday - Friday 143 is wrong: This serves the school before the town 716 is wrong: It is called 176 on the timetable, and it actually serves Greenacres, not Henley Road 724 is missing Street address, town + post code if known Corve Street, Ludlow (Both sides of the road) Any other description of location (include bus stop number on pole or sign) adj Compasses Inn opp Compasses Inn Direction of travel Both Which bus route numbers are affected? 2L, 143, 155, 716, 723, 724 Date when you saw this bus stop Wednesday 24th June 2015
32
From:
Sent: 25 June 2015 05:24
Subject: Re: FW: Bus Users Shropshire newsletter and survey of bus stops
2L service to Kidder not shown on timetable at Ludlow terminus outside Compasses
Inn, corve St.
Dear …
Thank you for your letter concerning the 2L bus service from Ludlow Leisure Centre
to Kidderminster on 4 September 2015. I must apologise for taking some time to
reply.
The lack of accurate bus service information at bus stops is an issue which we have
raised on several occasions with Shropshire Council, most recently at a meeting with
the cabinet member on 3rd September. I am sorry to hear of your disappointing
journey which, I regret, seems to be becoming all too common.
I have forwarded your letter to Shropshire Council which is the Local Transport
Authority responsible for services within Shropshire. Although the 2L is provided by
Worcestershire County Council the bus stop information and its accuracy is the
responsibility of Shropshire Council.
I have also forwarded your letter to the bus company which operates the service
under contract for Worcestershire County Council. The bus company is Diamond
whose address is Diamond Customer Services, Beacon House, Long Acre,
Birmingham B7 5JJ.
I hope you will receive replies from them before too long.
Yours sincerely
Peter Gilbert
for Bus Users Shropshire
33
A lot of the mistakes on bus stops in Ludlow are also mistakes that have been
made on Traveline. The incorrect information now is:
2L: This now operates every 2 hours. The bus stop still says every 90 minutes.
[http://diamondbuses.com/services/WorcestershireandWarwickshire_3/2L-
KidderminstertoLudlow_268.html
141: This has been withdrawn, but is still on the bus stop. (Also on Traveline) [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/448123/np-2231-24-july-2015.pdf
143: This doesn't serve the stop in the morning, it goes down Henley Road. (Also on Traveline) [Information from the company] 155: Runs on schooldays only. The bus stop says it operates also in the School Holidays, but I have contacted Caradoc Coaches, who have said they only do schooldays. (Also on Traveline) [https://www.dropbox.com/s/dsookdign537cy0/E-mail%20from%20Caradoc%20Coaches.png?dl=0
701: The 1530 journey does NOT go to the school on schooldays. It runs to its normal route. (Also on Traveline) [Information from the company] 723: This service no longer goes to Cleobury Mortimer. This is only Coreley - Ludlow now. [https://www.tan.gov.uk/tanen/vosa_selfservicebusroutesview.asp?txtLicenceId=73428&txtLicenceNo=PD0001106&cboRegNoFilter=PD0001106/45
745: This is missing the M&J Travel journeys [http://1drv.ms/1AYW0ma
Many of these mistakes also appear on other bus timetables on bus stops in Ludlow. Another mistake (not on the Compasses Inn bus stop) is the 716, which is wrongly numbered 176 on bus stops and Traveline. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4cKWHDehmDhX0JQSGJMbUluZlRaRGhlaC1fYTN3R0pQcVdB/view?usp=sharing. This runs via Henley Road in the morning, and Sheet Road in the afternoon. This is another mistake, because the 716 is on the Raven Inn bus stop.
34
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Bus stop is identified as 'Opposite Manor Cottages' when in fact it is at
Steventon New Road junction 200 yards down the road.
722 to Eco Park not shown on displayed timetable pic 58
Street address, town + post code
if known
Steventon New Road, Ludlow
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected? 722
Date when you saw this bus stop 26/8/2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Stop opposite at Steventon New Road Junction (not as identified Manor
Cottages) shows 722 to Ludlow shown at 10 mins past the hour...not the
case...probably 20 mins past (there's no exact timetable schedule point for this
stop)
Street address, town + post code
if known
Steventon New Road, Ludlow
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected? 722
Date when you saw this bus stop 26/8/2015
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Steventon New Road. Stop on wrong side of road.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Steventon New Road, Ludlow
35
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected?
Date when you saw this bus stop 26/8/2015
36
1. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
No case for over a month now. The stop indicates that the stop for inbound
services on the 490 is opposite but it is 150 m up the road.
Street address, town + post code
if known
Old Street, Ludlow lower end
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Outbound from town
Direction of travel Outbound from town
Which bus route numbers are affected? 490
Date when you saw this bus stop 26/8/2015
2. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Street address, town + post code
if known
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected?
Date when you saw this bus stop
3. About this bus stop –
what’s wrong with the information or
timetable displayed
Street address, town + post code
if known
Any other description of location (include
bus stop number on pole or sign)
Direction of travel
Which bus route numbers are affected?
Date when you saw this bus stop
37