Following a recent tender process, LLRA has now received provisional details from LCC Transport Services on the new 20 bus service effective 1 June 2018, which replaces the current 5 Service. These can be found below. There will be an opportunity to discuss this and give feedback at the LLRA AGM on Tuesday 22 May at Discovery House Cafe.
View the latest information on the Service 20 (Mon-Fri).
Information from Transport Services
For Mondays to Fridays; Stagecoach are to operate a new Service 20 under contract to LCC. (See Timetable Below). This timetable has been agreed in partnership with Stagecoach and will provide 7 journeys a day into the City Centre compared with 10 currently. Peak journeys remain unchanged as will the route from St Georges via West Parade.
- The new service will no longer serve the Ermine however patronage was very low in this section of the route and passengers have alternative Stagecoach services available. (LLRA note: we have asked Transport Services for clarification on the services available for Long Leys residents).
- The cost to provide this service has doubled the subsidy payment currently being paid to PC Coaches however this is not surprising given that PC Coaches could not sustain the current service.
- To promote the new service, we will be installing some additional timetable boards along the route and will update all timetable information. Stagecoach will also promote through their digital channels.
Given patronage levels, from surveys carried out on service 5, on Saturdays is very low, we have decided to make alternative arrangements for Saturdays from the 9th June. (Service 20 will run on Saturday 2nd June only).
From Saturday 9th June, we will be extending our existing North of Lincoln on-demand CallConnect bus service to serve St Georges and West Parade on Saturdays only. This will provide a flexible bus service for residents who wish to travel into the City Centre by public transport at the weekend. Unlike a conventional bus service, CallConnect does not have a fixed timetable but responds to requests made by passengers. Journeys can be booked by phone or online up to a week ahead or on the day with as little as 1 hours` notice. Attached is some information about CallConnect (though it is not specific for Long Leys residents just yet) but does have the contact details for CallConnect and a guide as to how the service works. We are looking to ensure there is some literature available for Long Leys residents specifically for Saturdays and to also promote service 20 so we welcome any support available to help promote these new bus services.
LLRA note: The telephone line for CallConnect is 0345 234 3344.
LINCOLN – ST GEORGES PARK 20
Monday to Friday Timetable commences 01 June 2018
| Service Number | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, Central Bus Station, Bay M | 0700 | 0845 | 1045 | 1225 | 1425 | 1630 | 1715 |
| Carholme, Hewson Road, opp | — | — | — | 1231 | 1431 | 1636 | 1721 |
| Carholme, Methodist Church, adj | — | — | — | 1234 | 1434 | 1639 | 1724 |
| Lincoln, Hampton Street, adj | 0705 | 0850 | 1050 | 1236 | 1436 | 1641 | 1726 |
| St Georges Hospital, Berilldon Drive, opp | 0710 | 0855 | 1055 | 1241 | 1441 | 1646 | 1731 |
| Lincoln, Carline Road, adj | 0714 | 0859 | 1059 | 1245 | 1445 | 1650 | 1735 |
| Carholme, Methodist Church, opp | 0716 | 0901 | 1101 | — | — | — | — |
| Carholme, Hewson Road, adj | 0719 | 0904 | 1104 | — | — | — | — |
| Lincoln, Central Bus Station, Bay M | 0725 | 0910 | 1110 | 1251 | 1451 | 1656 | 1741 |
It is understood that the contract and subsidy in running the St Georges bus service will be reviewed on a yearly basis. So Stagecoach and Lincolnshire County Council have the option in terminating future usage.if the route is underused, not cost effective, and like which PC Coaches did, the company withdrew by not renewing due to the fact that County Council refused to increase the subsidy which had paid to PC Coaches for a number of years. In other words, the company was losing money and the subsidy amount did not cover the increased costs occurring.
Please check these details out and kindly report back.
Thanks!
Hi John.
The general contract details on bus services can be found in the document “Condition of Contract Oct 2011” which is publicly available at: lincolnshire.gov.uk/business/selling-to-the-council
An operator can give 3 months’ notice on any route as can LCC. If a service is not used sufficiently by the community it serves and becomes uneconomic for the operator it is not likely to continue. Most of the local bus contracts are for 3 years with an option to normally extend by up to two years.
One presumes that Stagecoach have a good view on current passenger numbers for the 20 bus service and would be happy for the 3 years provided that predicted numbers stay the same or ideally rise with increased use. With better links to other bus and rail services via the new Central Bus Station it is certainly an option for residents to consider as an alternative for some car journeys.
Section H of the Contract Conditions deals with adjustments to subsidy payments. An inflationary increase can be negotiated for any particular year although it is a negotiation (it’s our council tax they are spending after all) and some years no increase is given.
Kind regards
Jon Davies