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Post by vjaska on Oct 2, 2023 13:31:57 GMT
There is a lot of merit in extending the 497 to Upminster then leaving it as it is - it’s the 346 that should really be left alone This is probably a weak point considering Ockendon is outside London, but Upminster would lose one of its routes to Ockendon The Ockendon section is likely the least used part in any event as there is seldom much there and the 370 links the residential area near the station with Upminster with a far more frequent service My friend who lives in Harold Wood says the 497 to Upminster would be a lot more useful than the extremely low frequency 347 and he has been wanting a better link between Harold Wood and Upminster for years.
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Post by adl on Oct 2, 2023 13:50:54 GMT
This is probably a weak point considering Ockendon is outside London, but Upminster would lose one of its routes to Ockendon The Ockendon section is likely the least used part in any event as there is seldom much there and the 370 links the residential area near the station with Upminster with a far more frequent service My friend who lives in Harold Wood says the 497 to Upminster would be a lot more useful than the extremely low frequency 347 and he has been wanting a better link between Harold Wood and Upminster for years. I think the consultation will go ahead maybe with a 20 minute frequency rather than 30 or may start at 30 then be increased over time as I can see the frequency really picking up when/if it happens, it’s already quite popular even in its current format I’ve been on a full bus with standing passengers, so I don’t think the 30 min frequency will suffice, especially with new passengers that want to get from Harold Wood/Gallows Corner/Harold Hill to Upminster on top of the existing 346 passengers and existing 497 passengers.
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Post by Busboy105 on Oct 2, 2023 16:15:12 GMT
Still no news on the consultation I wonder how long until they make their decision? Even if the decision was made they changes won't take place until 2025 when the 497 new contract starts I believe
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Post by WH241 on Oct 2, 2023 16:42:18 GMT
Still no news on the consultation I wonder how long until they make their decision? Even if the decision was made they changes won't take place until 2025 when the 497 new contract starts I believe Not necessarily as some consultation changes have taken place mid contracts. There could have been negotiations with Stagecoach to merge the 497 and the 346 contracts.
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Post by northlondon83 on Oct 2, 2023 16:48:57 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised to see either one or both of the 346 and 347 withdrawn by this time next year
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Post by WH241 on Oct 2, 2023 16:55:28 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised to see either one or both of the 346 and 347 withdrawn by this time next year With respect that is the whole point of the consultation so not sure what you are saying here.
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Post by northlondon83 on Oct 2, 2023 20:11:59 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised to see either one or both of the 346 and 347 withdrawn by this time next year With respect that is the whole point of the consultation so not sure what you are saying here. Well someone did ask when the consultation results will be released and some consultations run on for years like the Sutton one
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Post by DT 11 on Oct 2, 2023 20:22:32 GMT
With respect that is the whole point of the consultation so not sure what you are saying here. Well someone did ask when the consultation results will be released and some consultations run on for years like the Sutton one The consultation was completed a while ago. More the fact the changes were not implemented straight away. Similar to 1 168 & 188.
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Post by Busboy105 on Oct 2, 2023 22:02:59 GMT
Even if the decision was made they changes won't take place until 2025 when the 497 new contract starts I believe Not necessarily as some consultation changes have taken place mid contracts. There could have been negotiations with Stagecoach to merge the 497 and the 346 contracts. The 346 new contract started last week. Couldn't they have done it then?
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Post by WH241 on Oct 2, 2023 22:05:14 GMT
Not necessarily as some consultation changes have taken place mid contracts. There could have been negotiations with Stagecoach to merge the 497 and the 346 contracts. The 346 new contract started last week. Couldn't they have done it then? Yes but they haven’t published the results yet. I imagine there must have been some discussions with Stagecoach as they now run both routes. I imagine it will be fairly simple to merge both tenders if they proceed with the changes.
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Post by adl on Dec 20, 2023 11:17:24 GMT
Must be a big consultation considering other consultations have started and finished in the time this has been open. Hopefully we’ll hear something on the new year.
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Post by southlondonbus on Dec 20, 2023 16:56:45 GMT
Must be a big consultation considering other consultations have started and finished in the time this has been open. Hopefully we’ll hear something on the new year. Probably has faced some opposition loosing the service to Ockendon.
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Post by britishguy54 on Dec 21, 2023 12:23:41 GMT
Must be a big consultation considering other consultations have started and finished in the time this has been open. Hopefully we’ll hear something on the new year. Probably has faced some opposition loosing the service to Ockendon. If that’s the case, then we may see the 497 run between Harold Hill and Ockendon, possibly skipping the Upminster Park Estate. Which would be leaving the 346 as is, but replacing the 347. I think some would appreciate a more frequent service to Ockendon, I guess.
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Post by vjaska on Dec 21, 2023 14:40:04 GMT
Probably has faced some opposition loosing the service to Ockendon. If that’s the case, then we may see the 497 run between Harold Hill and Ockendon, possibly skipping the Upminster Park Estate. Which would be leaving the 346 as is, but replacing the 347. I think some would appreciate a more frequent service to Ockendon, I guess. Personally, that is what should happen - I know from a friend who is from Harold Wood that a direct link to Upminster is very welcome so having the 497 run direct there makes a lot of sense but also keeping the 346 local service intact means Upminster Park Estate residents continue to have a reliable link as well. The Ockendon section is very quiet so the enhanced frequency could either be overkill or generate new patronage though I suspect if Upminster had more stand space, the 497 could terminate together with the 346.
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Post by ADH45258 on Dec 21, 2023 14:57:57 GMT
If that’s the case, then we may see the 497 run between Harold Hill and Ockendon, possibly skipping the Upminster Park Estate. Which would be leaving the 346 as is, but replacing the 347. I think some would appreciate a more frequent service to Ockendon, I guess. Personally, that is what should happen - I know from a friend who is from Harold Wood that a direct link to Upminster is very welcome so having the 497 run direct there makes a lot of sense but also keeping the 346 local service intact means Upminster Park Estate residents continue to have a reliable link as well. The Ockendon section is very quiet so the enhanced frequency could either be overkill or generate new patronage though I suspect if Upminster had more stand space, the 497 could terminate together with the 346. I wonder what opposition there would be though to the 347's withdrawal, as there's hardly any housing on the unique section between Ockendon and Upminster. Perhaps another compromise could be to just have the 370 double run to Ockendon Station? I also don't think there's much of an issue in merging the 346 with the revised 497, as it still wouldn't be a particularly long route so should be reliable enough. But the 346's current frequency should ideally be maintained, or at least every 20 minutes might be a good balance. If TFL's 497 proposal would be too indirect, the easiest option would probably be the alternative that TFL mentioned, terminating at Upminster Park Estate?
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