Against Transdev (Yellow Buses) Proposals

What are Transdev doing? After recently taking over Yellow Buses (Bournemouth's largest fleet of local public transport), Transdev have completely changed all the bus service numbers. Not only that, they have put numbers with letters, for example 6a, 6b and 6c. Two of these routes end up in the same place, Kinson, the other one of these "6" routes finishes in Tower Park, maybe 3 or 4 miles away from Kinson. Below are all the changes to the bus numbers, let's see how confusing you find this change:

3 & 4 -> 1a
5 -> 5a
6 -> 5b
7/8 -> 28a/b
9 -> 6b
10 -> 6a
17 -> 24
20 -> 1a
23 -> 1b
22 -> 1c (now I would have thought seeing 22 is before 23 that 22 should be 1b and 23 should be 1c)
27 -> 25
30 -> 26
"Other 30's series" -> 3a/b (so that would be 31, 32 and 35 I believe, that would mean routes cut or changed)
33/34 -> 4b
33/34 -> 2 (although they previously state 33/34 become 3a/b)
42 -> 29

All routes, service numbers and proposals can be found on www.yellowbuses.co.uk

I think this is an absolute disgrace. The majority of Bournemouth and surrounding areas were happy with the current routes (before Transdev moved in) but maybe could wish for the odd additional route. Why couldn't they work on what is already there, with what the public are familiar with route-wise and bus number-wise? Ok fair enough they seem to be getting more buses on the roads but that doesn't justify changing all the route numbers which will confuse many public transport users.

On their website they have stated:

"Why change the route numbers?

We have designed all the new numbers to be logical and easy to understand because research has shown that people see three routes as three separate frequencies, even when they travel the same route. For example, the 20, 22 and 23 from Boscombe to town are seen as three routes running every 15 muntes each for the 20 and 23, with 30 minutes between each 22. People dont think of the 3 routes creating a 6 minute frequency. With the new network, all you need is any route 1 bus, and whats more, they will run every 5 minutes too!"

Ok, so all the people that are catching the bus from Boscombe to Bournemouth need to know is that any route 1 service will take them to where they need to go if they would have previously used 20, 22 or 23. Genius idea right? I don't think so, because still you are left to think which one of the 1 routes do you need if you are travelling from Bournemouth and then beyond Boscombe to Christchuch for example? So thinking it's a good idea from one direction, doesn't make it a good idea from all directions.

I personally am not too fussed about the route changing as most are still fairly similar, but I believe the re-numbering of the routes is totally unnecessary. Why not keep the numbers for the routes which are fairly similar and give new numbers to any additional routes? A couple of routes will join on to older routes which could confuse even further when someone who regularly gets a bus from a certain stop realise no longer can they access their usual destination.

So, remember, take a look yourselves at the proposed routes and changes made to service numbers: www.yellowbuses.co.uk

If you are appalled by the lack of understanding that Transdev have over what the public transport users require, I formally ask you to sign this petition and when a substantial amount of signatures have been collected will be passed on to Transdev (Yellow Buses), The Daily Echo and Bournemouth Borough Council. Please leave your comments and opinions below ONLY if you agree with what has been said above and if you think Transdev should reconsider their proposals.

Ryan Traves
[email protected]

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