MidlandRed.net

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/worcestershi ... 2023-11-05

I have always had problems with logic and understanding, so can anyone explain / clarify what the thinking is in introducing this new service for shift workers but not running it during the many school holidays ??

(This is another new service subsidised by W.C.Council)

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/worcestershi ... ember-2023

The latest changes starting next week include (a link to) the 153 timetable with the School Days (only) code omitted, - so I am much relieved about that !

I see the route number 144 does not appear on their City map, just the name "Saltroad".

AdamH wrote: ↑

18:31 Thursday 2nd November 2023

I see the route number 144 does not appear on their City map, just the name "Saltroad".

What I've read on Facebook suggests that the latest incarnation of First Bus MAY be considering a group-wide livery and/or an end to special liveries for routes / services.

Nigel Eggleton told us he was considering abolishing the route number 144, but he recognised the value of it for "public recognition," and "word of mouth" etc
(something like that )

Also, if you need to introduce variations of the route / service, then 1A, or 144A, is better, I think.

Timetables with the 153 included in situ on Ombersley Street Droitwich today. Also the new route is on 'Bustimes'.

The 06:05 153 journey from Worcester to Hampton Lovett then runs dead from Hampton Lovett to Beoley and Alvechurch to form the S45 Bromsgrove school service.

Thanks Adam !

Saw the 0605 this morning coming off the Wastelands Estate onto Berry Hill there were zero passengers aboard.

Think there is a small demand for it but some of the times don't make sense If you work 6am-2pm then how do yet get back do you wait five hours for the bus or get the train back to Worcester Similar if you do 2pm-10pm you can get the bus back but not there.The times are okay for a 10pm-6am shift.Working on one of the estates I can tell you not all companies operate those type of shifts these days!

Taking a look at the Bus Open Data held at https://data.bus-data.dft.gov.uk/timeta ... aset/2139/ and it still shows the 153 only runs on schooldays. This is the raw public access data that websites like Travel Line and bustimes.org use, and I downloaded it about 10-minutes ago so it's current. So either the route is indeed schooldays only, or someone at First has not registered the route correctly.

Thanks very much Adam (H) and SEVERNLINK for those latest replies.

Recently I felt forced to re-join Twitter, in it's latest guise as "X" ( ..... and I STILL don't like it !)

Yesterday, Sunday, I sent a carefully worded question to First Worcester on their "X" site, asking them which of the two versions (accessible on their website, yesterday) of the 153 timetables was correct.

Amazingly, I got a reply very quickly, -- on a Sunday !! ( - almost certainly from a non-Worcester location though) -- the reply was ambiguously worded, but they gave me a link to the version that doesn't have School Day (only) codes !!

Today, I cannot see a way on "X" to retrieve their message and post it here !! -- can any of you tell me me how, please ? (IF you've got the time !)

After studying all the information, I MIGHT contact the county council about this matter -- ( - waste of public money ??)