[Cross-posted to cam.transport and uk.transport.buses]

Recently I took a bus from Cambridge to Cambourne (Whippet's no. 1 
service) and wishing to alight at Cambourne, Business Park (opp) (ATCO 
0500SCAMB018, NAPTAN CMBGDWDT) I rang the bell and made my way to the 
front of the bus; however the bus driver told me "That's a Stagecoach 
stop, not a Whippet stop; we're not allowed to pick up or set down 
there".  Not a big problem -- he was happy to drop me at nearby 'Whippet 
stops' Cambourne, Sackville Way (opp) (ATCO 0500SCAMB009, NAPTAN 
CMBDTWJA) or Cambourne, De La Warr Way (opp) (ATCO 0500SCAMB007, NATAN 
CMBDTWGT) -- I chose the latter.

But Traveline shows the bus as stopping at the stop I wanted and 
although I take Traveline data with a pinch of salt, the VOSA site lists 
the service as 'normal stopping' (which I assume means it is registered 
to stop at all recognised bus stops?).

This isn't a service I use particularly often but when I've used it 
previously drivers have been willing to drop me there -- or in the other 
direction to pick me up at the stop across the road (Cambourne, Business 
Park (near), ATCO 0500SCAMB017, NAPTAN CMBGDWDP).  But I also did have a 
driver comment to me once that they're only allowed to pick up at 
Whippet stops, although they can drop passengers off at any stop.

And in support of that notion of operator-specific stops, it does have 
to be said that the standard bus stop flag design in the Cambridge area 
  bears the Stagecoach colours (although not the Stagecoach name) -- 
Stagecoach being the dominant operator.  And in the main it's true that 
the stops on Whippet routes do have an additional flag below the usual 
one saying "Whippet Bus Stop" -- a flag that the stops in question lack 
  -- although I'm pretty sure that's not universal.

I still think the drivers were wrong, but if that's the case I'm at a 
loss as to why Whippet would have their own flags on bus stops - or for 
that matter why the standard ones bear the Stagecoach colours?

Anyone understand how this works?

-roy

On Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:14:46 GMT, Roy Badami 
wrote:

>I still think the drivers were wrong, but if that's the case I'm at a 
>loss as to why Whippet would have their own flags on bus stops - or for 
>that matter why the standard ones bear the Stagecoach colours?
>
>Anyone understand how this works?

In some areas the operator rather than the Council seems to maintain
the flags - I assume this is a hang-over from the days of the operator
actually being the Council transport department.

Not sure why Whippet wouldn't serve all of them, though, unless it's
meant to be an express service of some sort?

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

Neil Williams wrote:

> Not sure why Whippet wouldn't serve all of them, though, unless it's
> meant to be an express service of some sort?

Not particularly (although it *is* more direct than the more frequent 
competing Stagecoach route).  But if it were intended to be an express 
service than I *think* VOSA would show it as 'limited stop' rather than 
'normal stopping'.  (That's just inference on my part, though.)

-roy

On Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:37:35 GMT, Roy Badami 
wrote:

>Not particularly (although it *is* more direct than the more frequent 
>competing Stagecoach route).  But if it were intended to be an express 
>service than I *think* VOSA would show it as 'limited stop' rather than 
>'normal stopping'.  (That's just inference on my part, though.)
>
>-roy

Please, can anyone tell me whereabouts on the VOSA site can I get this
kind of information?

--
Alasdair.

On Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:04:54 +0000, Alasdair 
wrote:

>Please, can anyone tell me whereabouts on the VOSA site can I get this
>kind of information?

"Notices and Proceedings" will tell you this when the route is added,
deleted or (sometimes) updated.  Put that into Google to find it.  But
that's no good for an existing route.

There's a substantial archive so you may be able to go back and find
when it was registered if you have a vague idea to begin with.

Neil

-- 
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

Neil Williams wrote:
> On Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:04:54 +0000, Alasdair 
> wrote:
> 
>> Please, can anyone tell me whereabouts on the VOSA site can I get this
>> kind of information?
> 
> "Notices and Proceedings" will tell you this when the route is added,
> deleted or (sometimes) updated.  Put that into Google to find it.  But
> that's no good for an existing route.
> 
> There's a substantial archive so you may be able to go back and find
> when it was registered if you have a vague idea to begin with.

If you are referring to Cambourne there is a history.
The bus stop by the business park on the main road in to the settlement 
was added later due to the efforts of a Councillor.

The master plan for Cambourne was drawn up in the days of Nicholas 
Ridley ( not in my back yard) and Mrs Thatcher. The concept was three 
large villages and car access. The proposal of a bus gate to enable bus 
services through the new settlement was rejected.

You will notice that there is a grass verge to walk over when entering 
or exiting the bus at the business park, no funds for paving?
I suspect Whippet have not updated their route details to include the 
new bus stop.

If you go to
http://www.cambridgeshirebus.info/
click on to map and zoom in it appears that the County Council think 
there is a Whippet stop if I am looking at the correct bus stop.

I would approach the County Council first as they may have records at 
Shire Hall, Cambridge.

As an aside the District Council had to apply and grant themselves for 
an extension to their car park on Cambourne business park as their 
travel plan was not effective.

Alan Quick

On Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:47:31 +0000, Alan Quick 
wrote:

>If you are referring to Cambourne there is a history.

No, I am trying to find out about the "Medilink" bus service in
Nottingham.  It seems to be a service funded jointly by the National
Health Service and Nottingham City Council but I cannot find out who
is responsible for it.  When the two main Nottingham hospitals were
linked administratively, this free service was set up primarily for
the convenience of NHS staff but it also carries members of the
public. 

--
Alasdair.

"Alasdair"  wrote in message 
news:dp48f5t41h3obuon6du40991nurajt5nob@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:47:31 +0000, Alan Quick 
> wrote:
>
>>If you are referring to Cambourne there is a history.
>
> No, I am trying to find out about the "Medilink" bus service in
> Nottingham.  It seems to be a service funded jointly by the National
> Health Service and Nottingham City Council but I cannot find out who
> is responsible for it.  When the two main Nottingham hospitals were
> linked administratively, this free service was set up primarily for
> the convenience of NHS staff but it also carries members of the
> public.
>

Nottingham City Council. They own the buses.

David