Bus bosses think again on direct hospital link
TRENT Barton is rethinking its decision to remove the Mickleover service from the city's new bus station.
The bus company planned to pull the only frequent, regular direct link from the station to the Royal Derby Hospital in October.
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It said roadworks across the city were slowing the service down and that entering the station added even more journey time.
By picking up across the road in Albert Street, Trent Barton said that it could claw back some of the lost travel time.
But the move worried passengers.
Now Trent Barton says it is monitoring the service during September before making a final decision.
Commercial director Alex Hornby said: "Although a recent survey found that 80 per cent of users supported a change to improve reliability, we are mindful that a number of customers wanted the service to continue to serve the bus station and provide an interchange for passengers to the Royal Derby Hospital.
"Unfortunately roadworks and other traffic problems on the approach to the station have caused significant reliability issues but, following discussions with the city council, we are planning to extend the existing service on a trial basis to see if the situation continues."
The city council has urged the company to keep a service from the bus station.
Councillor Chris Poulter, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "Like Trent Barton, the council would like to see local bus services meeting the needs of as many people as possible and we will do all we can to support the company in fulfilling this aim.
"We are delighted that the company is to consult with its customers again and have re-affirmed their commitment to this service using the bus station subject to the reliability issue being resolved. Should the trial prove successful we would be happy to step in and waive the registration period to further reduce any inconvenience to bus travellers."
Regular bus user Anton Rippon of Chain Lane said the bus company should be looking at keeping services at the station.
"Derby has suffered a cold and inefficient temporary 'bus station' that has cluttered the street scene for too long," he said.
"The last thing we need is a new bus station and a temporary one sprawled on the streets.
"Customers – particularly hospital patients and visitors and those wanting to change buses – need to interchange, if necessary, at a warm, dry bus station that doesn't involve them walking across the city centre.
"Others who want to board and alight at other points already enjoy that facility."
Customers can have their say by e-mailing mickleover @trentbarton.co.uk.
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by John, Derby
Thursday, September 02 2010, 11:20AM
“Bus driver - OK, so if we accept that it can take up to seven minutes to serve the bus station due to roadworks, why is only an issue for The Mickleover? The roadworks on the Morledge and Wardwick are temporary. Why are big decisions being considered during such a period of upheaval? I can only call them as I see them and I am yet to catch a Mickleover where more people board in town than they do at the bus station and I do do every day at peak times, whereas you say you do not drive the route regularly. Please do not take my angst as being aimed at the drivers - they most certainly are not. I consider the drivers on The Mickleover to be the most polite and cheerful of all I experience and I do use a fair few services during my work. The Arriva drivers are not helped by bieng behind a perspex screen for the most part. My father regularly visits us after connecting at the bus station and frequently remarks that we have the best service, drivers and buses in Derby. And I couldn't agree with you more about pedestrians who pay little notice to what is approaching before meandering across the road or waiting until the 'red man' symbol appears at crossings before sauntering across the road as slowly as possible with a snear. Keep up the good work. It is appreciated, and we are aware that many drivers are opposed to the move.”
by Bus Driver, Derby
Thursday, September 02 2010, 10:17AM
“John (not the one below), Derby. I cannot disagree with most of your comments although i find your opening paragraph rather padantic, bar one. Trust me, It does and can take 7minutes, sometimes longer to wiggle your way through the bus station and all the road works going on namely the Morledge and Wardwick and people trying to cross who think it's their god given right to walk out in front of a bus and when you have 8 minutes at times to get to the city hospital it isn't easy. But as am not a regular driver of this service I can be excused from giving my personal suggestions of improvement.
The other john, derby. No one says you HAVE to buy a day saver or a return ticket. But remember the buses are a business and as such have to charge. Plus am sure the number of OAP gold cards out there are not helping prices and the cost of running the services, have heard only get 50 something pence per OAP ticket issued. Whether it's the service to Manchester or round the corner.
About the Mickleover though. Most of the passengers I've picked up, have not been at the Bus station but at the Square and Vic Street am not saying i don't pick up any at the bus station simply stating more passengers at the next two stops. I don't know how that fits into any of the arguements.
The drivers try their damn best to run the services to the best of their ability. It isn't nice when you get it in the neck by everybody when you are late through no fault of your own and it seems like an apology is useless because most times after given one, one scoffs and walks off. We do what we can. Suggestions are good if its usable feedback. But when its stuff like am sure Arriva can do it better, it doesn't help no one and i find it rather pathetic.”
by John, Derby
Thursday, September 02 2010, 8:33AM
“I - and where did you catch that bus?”
by DerbyBorn, Derby
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:51PM
“Dear Guffy, I live in Littleover - I can walk to the new hospital - i am a pensioner. Do you believe all pensioners live 2 bus changes away?”
by dawn, derby
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:35PM
“I wouldn't advice anyone to catch Villager as thats so unreliable at the minute,what am i talking about the villager has always been unreliable”