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Post by N230UD on Mar 25, 2020 14:40:17 GMT
Showing how fast-changing things are at the moment, it has now been announced the M2 coach service will cease completely on Monday 28th March Saturday 28th March.
Just a few weeks ago I was planning another trip on the route as I hadn't been on it for a few months. Now I can't even travel on it for the final time (of course, there are more important things to be concerned about). A rather sad end to this innovative service.
Talking about Stagecoach South East - they will be introducing a skeleton service from Monday 28th 30th
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Post by N230UD on Mar 22, 2020 17:15:54 GMT
It appears police are already starting to get involved, such as at an establishment in Whitstable selling takeaway drinks at a stall outside - crowds of people were gathered, and the police and local council have had words...
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Post by N230UD on Mar 19, 2020 23:21:30 GMT
I expect in reality, Stagecoach will cease operating this service in the next few days. From Monday, the M2 will only operate between Canterbury and Chatham, and won't go to London, until further notice - so probably until the last day of the service (if it makes it until then). So sadly I doubt I'll get a final journey on this. The drivers were a real credit to the company, and all the drivers I had experienced were enthusiastic about the service and helped to try and make the service a success. From my observations, passenger numbers were increasing, but obviously not enough to justify the finances. That was obviously the main reason for the cancellation, but I suspect coronavirus has played a part. In normal circumstances, a service like this needs more than a year to become established. I used the service a few times, and did find it useful, and excellent value for money, especially compared to the expensive HS1 line. The 'slow' railway lines into London aren't exactly much cheaper than the High Speed either. I also used it for trips from Canterbury to Medway. The National Express on the other hand, I tend to find uncomfortable, and the route into London is painstaking, and ending up in Victoria which isn't a particularly useful location IMO (apart from transferring to other coaches). New Cross Gate is a fairly useful stop though, but I've had some, erm, interesting experiences waiting the coach at night from that stop.....
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Post by N230UD on Mar 19, 2020 17:09:22 GMT
Ensignbus have announced a skeleton service, and their statement certainly sounds like they are struggling. If an exceptional operator like Ensign are struggling, I dread to think of the effect on even smaller operators. I hope they get support.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 17, 2020 22:02:23 GMT
^ I had pre-ordered the Docklands liveried Olympian from Hattons, but they cancelled the pre-order a few months ago. I hope the model will be sold eventually.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 17, 2020 22:00:27 GMT
The link on the Arriva website about the new 720 service has been removed. This suggests the start date has probably been postponed, which certainly seems like a sensible option in these surreal times.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 8, 2020 18:26:51 GMT
The timetable has now been published by Arriva, and it shows it will operate daily to a 24 hour timetable. It will have a 20 min frequency for most of the day, dropping to half hourly at night.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 7, 2020 17:59:04 GMT
According to LOTS, 16 Mercedes-Benz Tourismos will be used and based at a Stansted outstation.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 7, 2020 17:09:36 GMT
Though I do imagine they’ll be regular blockages at Stratford. There is one one piddly stop to serve Nat ex stansted, airport bus express, Megabus, national express cross country services. Can see the bus station being blocked more regularly! One has to wonder whether Stratford really needs three services from different companies. I guess time will tell. I wonder if TfL will allow Arriva to stop there? For example, TfL have been very strict with non-TfL operators at Waltham Cross Bus Station, with some routes forced elsewhere in the past.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 6, 2020 17:41:00 GMT
Also, Possibly not the best time for competition when passenger numbers are declining at the airports due to the coronavirus. Although they could not have predicted that when planning their start date. You're right, of course not. There will still be demand though, and as coronavirus doesn't do so well in the heat (like flu), I imagine demand will pick up again in the summer, which isn't that far from April. I do hope they do well though, and will be interesting to see how the service does, and what vehicles they will use. It must be a very long time since Harlow garage operated a coach service.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 5, 2020 13:25:59 GMT
Going head to head with National Express and Easy Bus. Very interesting to see who blinks first in this battle. Stratford to Stansted passengers will be spoilt for choice in the meantime. Also, Possibly not the best time for competition when passenger numbers are declining at the airports due to the coronavirus.
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Post by N230UD on Mar 5, 2020 12:22:28 GMT
I believe it will be based at Harlow with the 724 moving to Ware garage. Interesting, thank you!
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Post by N230UD on Mar 5, 2020 12:21:54 GMT
Sad news. They appeared to be a good operator, in terms of customer service, from my two experiences with them. Flew with them from London City to Edinburgh on a propeller plane, and from 'London' Southend to Prague (although this one was delayed by 5 hours, which meant I got about £250 compensation for a £70 flight...).
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Post by N230UD on Mar 4, 2020 18:27:27 GMT
Some interesting news is that Arriva will start a new Greenline route 720 between Stansted Airport and Liverpool Street via Stratford City, from Wednesday 1st April 2020 (this isn't an April Fool's!). It has been officially registered, and it has appeared on the Greenline website (see here: www.greenline.co.uk/timetables-search/720---stansted-airport-to-london-liverpool-street/. It has been registered by Arriva Kent Thameside Ltd, who cover the Harlow area operations, but it will be interesting to see where this will be based. My bet will be an outstation at Stansted. Seems rather rare for a new Greenline route to start. Interestingly, there was a historical Greenline route numbered 720, from Bishop's Stortford to Aldgate. So the number for this new service is either a co-incidence or someone at Arriva has some historical knowledge.
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Post by N230UD on Jan 30, 2020 19:20:33 GMT
Has anyone ever travelled on the various parking buses at the airports around London? When I sometimes fly from London, I like to get to the airport a few hours earlier than I need to, and try out some of the local buses. e.g. the Metrobus network at Gatwick, and the various local routes around Heathrow. But if often been tempted to try some of the car park shuttle routes, which often have unusual vehicles on them, such as articulated Mercedes and Scania buses. Does anyone know of any of these routes which are easy to have a ride on, despite not going to collect a car? Any good examples? I know at Heathrow, the British Airways buses (operated by King's Ferry) are for staff only, and the Hotel Hoppa routes have a premium fare (with rather boring E200s). Are there any routes you can just jump on for free,and not get stranded at a car park? They may be Enviro 200’s but the Hotel Hoppa ones at Heathrow are far from boring. They have a bigger engine and produce a far more interesting sound than your regular mundane Enviro 200. Interesting, I wasn't aware of that, thank you. Some of the routes are relatively long too. I believe some of those E200s have appeared on Hallmark's ordinary routes as well.
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