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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2021 17:07:33 GMT
The 461 (Falcon Buses) will do a loop of the Field Common Estate from 30th October, presumably to make up for the very short lived re-routing of the 514/515 which briefly gave the estate an increased frequency for what I think only lasted a couple of months at the end of last year, following its earlier loss of the 431. The council funded evening and Sunday service operated by Diamond does already service the estate, as did Hallmark (as Diamond was known at the time) when they briefly competed over the 461 Mon-Sat daytimes commercially. The 462/463 (White Bus) will have revised timings from 1st November, which will include a new 1650 departure from Guildford on the 462, filling the current two hour hole in the timetable. I can’t say that makes the 461 more attractive for through passengers, though I see why it’s being done. Of course in an ideal world, the current 461 route would be replaced by an extension of TfL 411 to Walton, but we all know the likelihood of that happening 😂 What do you reckon, an extra three minutes? I guess it's not end of the world stuff if it serves a required social need. A 411 extension would obviously be beneficial for the people of Walton with fares, but in fairness the 461 is definitely one of north west Surrey's better routes - modern three year old buses offering a half-hourly daytime service, and an evening/Sunday service! The way routes like the 458, 555 and 557 have gone in recent years is very sad to see, and other routes in the area become virtually useless if you want to do anything other than travel directly home from work due to their early finishes. |
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Post by wirewiper on Sept 28, 2021 17:18:21 GMT
The 461 (Falcon Buses) will do a loop of the Field Common Estate from 30th October, presumably to make up for the very short lived re-routing of the 514/515 which briefly gave the estate an increased frequency for what I think only lasted a couple of months at the end of last year, following its earlier loss of the 431. The council funded evening and Sunday service operated by Diamond does already service the estate, as did Hallmark (as Diamond was known at the time) when they briefly competed over the 461 Mon-Sat daytimes commercially. The 462/463 (White Bus) will have revised timings from 1st November, which will include a new 1650 departure from Guildford on the 462, filling the current two hour hole in the timetable. I can’t say that makes the 461 more attractive for through passengers, though I see why it’s being done. Of course in an ideal world, the current 461 route would be replaced by an extension of TfL 411 to Walton, but we all know the likelihood of that happening 😂 It would be interesting to speculate what the local bus network might look like, had Elmbridge and Spelthorne become London boroughs back in 1965. The area once had an extensive network of red bus routes; the 131 and its successor the 211 operated through to Walton-on-Thames until 1983. |
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Post by twobellstogo on Sept 28, 2021 18:00:31 GMT
I can’t say that makes the 461 more attractive for through passengers, though I see why it’s being done. Of course in an ideal world, the current 461 route would be replaced by an extension of TfL 411 to Walton, but we all know the likelihood of that happening 😂 What do you reckon, an extra three minutes? I guess it's not end of the world stuff if it serves a required social need. A 411 extension would obviously be beneficial for the people of Walton with fares, but in fairness the 461 is definitely one of north west Surrey's better routes - modern three year old buses offering a half-hourly daytime service, and an evening/Sunday service! The way routes like the 458, 555 and 557 have gone in recent years is very sad to see, and other routes in the area become virtually useless if you want to do anything other than travel directly home from work due to their early finishes. Probably about 3-5 min, yes, but it’s also the psychological knowledge that you’re going round in a ‘u’ shape. I agree : it is sad about 458, 555, 557. The extra evening runs on 458 are welcome though. 555 I am sure could be doubled in frequency and people would flock. |
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Post by twobellstogo on Sept 28, 2021 18:03:51 GMT
I can’t say that makes the 461 more attractive for through passengers, though I see why it’s being done. Of course in an ideal world, the current 461 route would be replaced by an extension of TfL 411 to Walton, but we all know the likelihood of that happening 😂 It would be interesting to speculate what the local bus network might look like, had Elmbridge and Spelthorne become London boroughs back in 1965. The area once had an extensive network of red bus routes; the 131 and its successor the 211 operated through to Walton-on-Thames until 1983. Spelthorne really ought to be in Greater London in my opinion. It doesn’t fit easily into Surrey, and was of course Middlesex back in the day. Of the two, definitely Spelthorne has all the qualities to join London, I feel. On a personal level, I’d love Elmbridge to be in London, but it seems unlikely. Bring back the 215! |
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Post by vjaska on Sept 28, 2021 20:06:12 GMT
I can’t say that makes the 461 more attractive for through passengers, though I see why it’s being done. Of course in an ideal world, the current 461 route would be replaced by an extension of TfL 411 to Walton, but we all know the likelihood of that happening 😂 What do you reckon, an extra three minutes? I guess it's not end of the world stuff if it serves a required social need. A 411 extension would obviously be beneficial for the people of Walton with fares, but in fairness the 461 is definitely one of north west Surrey's better routes - modern three year old buses offering a half-hourly daytime service, and an evening/Sunday service! The way routes like the 458, 555 and 557 have gone in recent years is very sad to see, and other routes in the area become virtually useless if you want to do anything other than travel directly home from work due to their early finishes. Sounds like the loss of Abellio Surrey, despite it’s obvious failings, has brought certain routes to their knees - I rode most of the network within the last 2 years of its existence and ridership wasn’t too bad despite the lack of investment in the fleet or the traffic congestion that badly affects certain routes, since Abellio Surrey stopped existing, I’ve had zero interest to return and sample the current network |
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Post by twobellstogo on Sept 28, 2021 21:45:30 GMT
What do you reckon, an extra three minutes? I guess it's not end of the world stuff if it serves a required social need. A 411 extension would obviously be beneficial for the people of Walton with fares, but in fairness the 461 is definitely one of north west Surrey's better routes - modern three year old buses offering a half-hourly daytime service, and an evening/Sunday service! The way routes like the 458, 555 and 557 have gone in recent years is very sad to see, and other routes in the area become virtually useless if you want to do anything other than travel directly home from work due to their early finishes. Sounds like the loss of Abellio Surrey, despite it’s obvious failings, has brought certain routes to their knees - I rode most of the network within the last 2 years of its existence and ridership wasn’t too bad despite the lack of investment in the fleet or the traffic congestion that badly affects certain routes, since Abellio Surrey stopped existing, I’ve had zero interest to return and sample the current network Some of it is still pretty good - some (notably the 715 corridor - well done Stagecoach South) are actually better post Abellio. Both Falcon and White bus I do like as operators and they are both doing well. Give the 408 a try, that’s a nice little route that Falcon run well - would be nice for this to have a Saturday service but we can’t have everything. We shall not speak about Diamond. Perhaps they might go away if I ask nicely. |
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Post by vjaska on Sept 28, 2021 22:26:59 GMT
Sounds like the loss of Abellio Surrey, despite it’s obvious failings, has brought certain routes to their knees - I rode most of the network within the last 2 years of its existence and ridership wasn’t too bad despite the lack of investment in the fleet or the traffic congestion that badly affects certain routes, since Abellio Surrey stopped existing, I’ve had zero interest to return and sample the current network Some of it is still pretty good - some (notably the 715 corridor - well done Stagecoach South) are actually better post Abellio. Both Falcon and White bus I do like as operators and they are both doing well. Give the 408 a try, that’s a nice little route that Falcon run well - would be nice for this to have a Saturday service but we can’t have everything. We shall not speak about Diamond. Perhaps they might go away if I ask nicely. I bear that suggestion in mind, cheers  |
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Post by N230UD on Oct 5, 2021 16:17:40 GMT
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Post by twobellstogo on Oct 5, 2021 17:23:19 GMT
Not a surprise at all : Guildford did seem very much to be one of the runts of Arriva’s litter. Would imagine Stagecoach and Safeguard would be interested in taking some of Arriva’s routes on - possibly Compass, White bus and Falcon too. |
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Oct 9, 2021 4:39:56 GMT
Not a surprise at all : Guildford did seem very much to be one of the runts of Arriva’s litter. Would imagine Stagecoach and Safeguard would be interested in taking some of Arriva’s routes on - possibly Compass, White bus and Falcon too. If anything, route 63 (Guildford - Horsham) could be a 2-horse race between Compass and Metrobus. Arriva Guildford is/was the nearest thing we have had to an Arriva bus operation in the south west. The area is of course served by South Western Railway. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2021 9:41:04 GMT
Sounds like the loss of Abellio Surrey, despite it’s obvious failings, has brought certain routes to their knees - I rode most of the network within the last 2 years of its existence and ridership wasn’t too bad despite the lack of investment in the fleet or the traffic congestion that badly affects certain routes, since Abellio Surrey stopped existing, I’ve had zero interest to return and sample the current network Some of it is still pretty good - some (notably the 715 corridor - well done Stagecoach South) are actually better post Abellio. Both Falcon and White bus I do like as operators and they are both doing well. Give the 408 a try, that’s a nice little route that Falcon run well - would be nice for this to have a Saturday service but we can’t have everything. We shall not speak about Diamond. Perhaps they might go away if I ask nicely. Absolutely agree. I’ve been meaning to spend a day on the Staines area routes White and Falcon run. Diamond leave much to be desired although their buses have improved, timekeeping hasn’t. I really wish once the airport picks up again the 555 group could be run by London United again, perhaps with electrics from HH/WK. |
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Post by twobellstogo on Oct 15, 2021 20:32:08 GMT
Copied from provincial Arriva thread, about Falcon Buses’ talks with Arriva to acquire the Guildford operation. |
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Post by twobellstogo on Oct 16, 2021 22:19:57 GMT
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Post by TNL33036 on Oct 27, 2021 16:12:46 GMT
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Post by twobellstogo on Oct 27, 2021 19:21:59 GMT
Eek : I wonder what happened there to end those talks - was there something Falcon didn’t like or was it financial? |
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