Trent Barton may switch service out of bus station
TRENT Barton could withdraw one of its services from Derby's controversial new bus station because customers believe its design causes delays.
The firm said a three-week public consultation into switching the Mickleover service to Osnabruck Square had so far showed that a "huge majority" of people backed the change.
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The decision is due to be made next week but Alex Hornby, Trent Barton's commercial director, said the firm would go with the views of its customers.
He criticised the station's design for the traffic lights that delay vehicles when entering and leaving the site.
But he said the firm was keen to work with the city council to improve bus access and that it was "not seeking to remove other services".
The announcement comes after it was revealed five coach firms were snubbing the bus station because they believe its design forces their customers to walk too far with luggage.
Mr Hornby said his firm believed using the bus station added up to an extra seven minutes to all journeys.
He said: "This includes time to navigate the more congested Morledge area, two sets of traffic lights, queuing through the bus station, waiting for vehicles to reverse, then waiting to reverse yourself, queuing to depart and then travel through more congestion and traffic signals.
"I am deliberately using the most extreme example, but this can and does happen often and it is unpredictable when and for how long", he said.
Trent Barton continued to operate three of its services from Corporation Street, after the bus station opened in March. Mr Hornby said this was because there would be a "risk of delays" if they were diverted into the station.
And he now says that the Mickleover is unexpectedly facing the same problem.
He said the frequency of the Mickleover, which runs every seven or eight minutes, meant that buses were sometimes delayed and became "bunched up."
The firm runs another 14 services from the bus station but drivers had enough extra time for the delays to usually be negated.
Mr Hornby criticised the design for not making buses' entry and exit easy enough.
He said: "Priority traffic signals for buses coming in and out would be useful to prevent delays.''
Mr Hornby said he wanted the firm's services to continue using the bus station.
City council spokesman Councillor Chris Poulter said no talks on the issue had been held with Trent Barton.
He added: "It is a commercial decision for them to decide when they run services, where from and how often. But we want to work with them to make the best we can of their services in the city."
38 Comments
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by TW, Derby
Monday, August 09 2010, 11:53AM
“"Also, the bus station, is at the end of town, an inconvenience for many." - where it had been since at least 1930. Could you also tell us why you think the bus station holds things up?”
by Charles, Mickleover
Saturday, August 07 2010, 11:20AM
“Most of these arguments are spurious. Maisie has to "run from one end of the bus station to the other". Well catch it in Albert Street, where it already picks up and where it will start from if the Bus Station is abandoned as you would like.
Again and again, the delays were caused by the roadworks. Since they ceased on 30 July, the timetable has improved dramatically. What on earth was the point of suffering all those delays and persisting with the Bus Station, only to come out of there within days of the situation being resolved?
And why is it only the Mickleover service that suffers?
It's plain common sense: ignore the usual moaners who'd moan about anything ¿ and stay where you are.”
by Maisie, Mickleover
Friday, August 06 2010, 9:29PM
“I'm from Mickleover, and the service was better without the bus station. The bus station holds everything up, like 3 sets of traffic lights, and the fact that the Mickleover is at stop 22, the other end of the station! Multiple times I have missed the bus, despite being at the bus station in time, because I have to run from one end to the other. Also, the bus station, is at the end of town, an inconvenience for many. There seemed to be less congestion without the bus station, and with the mickleover roadworks!”
by TW, Derby
Friday, August 06 2010, 5:27PM
“As mentioned below: http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/New-traffic-lights-bid-cut-queues/article-2497941-detail/article.html”
by TW, Derby
Friday, August 06 2010, 5:25PM
“Ah, that'll be why there has been a dramatic improvement. When I got to the bus station last night at around 5pm (when the delays in the afternoon are/were at their worst), the bus was already there, waiting, engine switched off - indicating that it had arrived in plenty of time before starting the next service. As we left there was one heading down The Morledge and another as we turned into Curzon Street.See also about the piece in today's DT about the re-phasing of traffic lights to further improve flow.”
by Charles, Mickleover
Friday, August 06 2010, 4:41PM
“To Alan, I would say, yes, we did notice that the roadworks had disappeared ¿ and the Mickleover service has improved dramatically overnight.
To Mr Hornby, I would say that I don't believe on-bus questionnaires were used. I travel on the M'over twice daily and have NEVER been asked my opinion.
I just have to repeat: the problem was the roadworks. They have ended. The problem is 95% better (despite other roadworks on the route in the city centre). Why is the Villager 2 not affected? Same route.
You have an ulterior motive for moving. You have used the usual moaners to support you.
Leave the Mickleover where it is.”
by alan, mickleover
Friday, August 06 2010, 4:18PM
“Sorry for the duplication comes in twos like the buses.”
by alan, mickleover
Friday, August 06 2010, 4:16PM
“Everyone keeps referring to the roadworks and being regular travellers.
The roadworks were cleared last Friday July 30th. Probably didnt notice they've been there that long.”
by terras, mickleover
Friday, August 06 2010, 4:11PM
“Everyone keeps referring to the roadworks and being regular travellers.
The roadworks were clear last Friday July 30th.”
by N1chola2010, Long Eaton
Friday, August 06 2010, 3:45PM
“And another thing... I really can't agree with Mr Hornby's comment about having buses on stand at the Albert Street stop in the past. More often than not the buses were late; we'd be stood out in the freezing cold with one tiny shelter for about 15 passengers... and two buses would turn up at once! Does that count as having "buses on stand"?!?!”