In a week or so on this website (now online HERE) will appear an article about Stagecoach East Midlands following a day spent with Managing Director Gary Nolan. As our interview with Alex Hornby of trent barton also emphasised (on this website HERE), it is apparent that if a commercial network is to survive the most important task facing bus management is to get car drivers onto the bus – no easy matter.

People these days have choices like never before. Even if they do not own their own transport, there are far more colleagues around to offer a lift, perhaps with a contribution towards petrol less than the bus fare. If you fill a taxi with people, the cost may be little different from that of the bus journey. Thus bus companies have to offer a service that potential passengers find attractive.

The time when I relied on everyday buses most (as opposed to school buses) was in the late 60s and early 70s. Frankly, my experience was dreadful and enough to put anybody off bus travel for life. My main bus use was travelling between Birmingham and Redditch on Midland Red, a company suffering from great staff shortages owing to the good wages in the West Midlands factories at that time. Quite often the bus just did not run (surely the biggest turn off to bus travel) and if it did the time tended to be at the discretion of the crew. It was the norm in the old Redditch bus station for crews to wander out of the canteen ten minutes after the timetabled departure time, possibly because of the need to finish their game of snooker. Because it dropped me off near my lodgings, on a Sunday I used to wait for the one and only evening Evesham to Birmingham bus in lonely Mappleborough Green on the A435. This used to meander along up to 20 minutes before or after the appointed time! Add to this surly, unhelpful crews and lengthy stops to fill in waybills during the journey (in the early days of one person operation) and I, like many others of my generation I suspect, became determined to find other means of getting to where they wanted to go. Sorry if I have upset those who constantly tell me all was marvellous on buses years ago, but I am simply telling you what I remember.

Enough of the past! In preparation for our main Stagecoach East Midlands article I thought I would take a day travelling just on buses of that company and report what I found. Providing I was home by tea time, Saturday 24th September was free. Starting from my Mansfield home (on the western edge of Stagecoach East Midlands' territory which now stretches to Skegness on the east coast and Hull in the north) I knew I would not be able to sample every part, but I managed eight buses and set foot in seven towns and cities as follows (map at very bottom of page):

This is how I got on:

The double decker Enviro 400 bus came up the hill in the hazy morning sunshine towards my stop dead on time. I was not expecting many passengers at half past seven on a Saturday heading for Newark, and I was correct, though there was a steady number of pick ups and drop offs throughout the 75 minute journey. This bus, based at the Newark outstation, had started from Newark at an ungodly 5 past 6 when I suspect there were even fewer passengers!

The driver waited while I climbed to my favourite seat at the front upstairs where, once out of town, I was able to marvel at the beautiful, gentle undulating Nottinghamshire countryside. Thank goodness this is a well kept secret, as is the existence of the breathtaking Southwell Minster that this route passes. There is no way you would enjoy such splendid scenery from a car (especially if you are the driver) or even a single decker bus. I really feel companies such as trent barton are missing a trick by sticking to a single decker only policy. This journey made me feel fortunate to live in such a green and pleasant land!

To attract car drivers, many routes have been simplified to run directly between main centres. Unfortunately, this 28 (formerly 29) between Mansfield and Newark has gone the other way with nearly 20 minutes added to the running time mainly because of diverting to Blidworth, a former mining village.

Having settled in my seat, we were soon taking a short deviation through Bellamy Road and a few minutes later we turned right out of Rainworth to head for Blidworth where the bus goes round the housing estate, its progress hindered by parked cars. Then out into the countryside through several quaint villages and on to the town of Southwell, beautifully kept but perhaps too middle class to be good bus territory. Here we should have taken the long route to Newark through Fiskerton and Rolleston with good views of the River Trent, but because of a road closure we headed off past the Workhouse (well worth a visit) direct to Newark Wharf where many buses terminate until the new bus station opens in a couple of months.

Amazingly, my next journey is the only through Stagecoach bus from Newark to Lincoln on a Saturday (though there are three more operated by PC Coaches on a slightly different route). The Optare Solo arrived at the stop at 0916 for the 0915 departure for Lincoln. Three of us boarded. Once out of Newark, we turned on to most incredibly narrow lanes for miles and miles. Fortunately, the driver knew the way as I feared being lost without trace in the wilderness of Lincolnshire. Eventually we arrived at Carlton-le-Moorland where two people were waiting for us as we did a circuit of the village. The hardly over worked ticket machine jammed but a couple of minutes messing about by the driver got it going.

The roads were now a bit wider as we headed through Bassingham and on to Witham St Hughs. This appears to be a newly built town plonked in the countryside in the middle of nowhere. We went right through all the new housing developments and back again but only picked up seven people, rather disappointing for a place of this size, especially as this was the first Stagecoach bus of the day (though PC Coaches run a two hourly service to Witham St Hughs). We went briefly on the A46 dual carriageway but then back on country roads to serve Thorpe-on-the-Hill where in the narrow street we met a Stagecoach Olympian with the destination STAGECOACH and a card 46 in the window. This was on a short working (like the majority of journeys) to Bassingham.

We then hit the outskirts of Lincoln. As we passed through Hykeham more and more people boarded until we had a standing load. The traffic congestion got worse and worse so that, bursting at the seams, the little Solo arrived at Lincoln bus station over 10 minutes late. The driver was so quick at loading for his return run to Bassingham I did not manage a photograph.

I found a little café in the market just a few minutes from the bus station and enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

My next departure was on the Interconnect 100 to Gainsborough. This bus arrived late from its previous journey but the driver loaded straight away and we left more or less on time. It was another Enviro 400 double decker but in Interconnect livery, and I took my favourite seat upstairs at the front. Having negotiated the city traffic, the driver put his foot down as we sped towards Saxilby and then onto B roads through numerous villages. Once again, I enjoyed the scenery, though I missed the gentle undulations of Nottinghamshire.

The idea of the Interconnect routes is that they keep to the main roads and Lincolnshire County Council provides a Dial-a-Ride service from the villages to take people to the bus stops. The wheelchair friendly minibus used for this was in Gainsborough bus station. The driver had to work hard to keep to time but these buses are smooth and quiet (at least until the demister for the upstairs front window is turned on).

At Gainsborough I changed to the 96 for Retford, though there was no sign on the bus stop, not that this was a big problem in this small bus station. The driver, who had a friendly word with all boarding passengers, saw me taking photographs and told me that he really loved the Leyland Atlanteans from his home town Liverpool. He had achieved his ambition to drive one, but also liked to be behind the wheel of the Stagecoach Enviro 400s.

We set off on time and our driver really had to keep his foot down on this Dennis Dart as we sped around innumerable villages. At somewhere near Misterton, we turned into Graveholes Lane. Several minutes later we were back at the same spot having gone to a housing estate and reversed to turn round. We reached a dangerous turn onto the main road only to have to do the same manoeuvre again a few minutes later after passing along the village street of Gringley-on-the-Hill. (It was a good job we did as an elderly lady boarded). Now back in Nottinghamshire my beloved undulations were returning and I sat back drinking in this wonderful scenery. The next surprise was turning into Wiseton, a most quaint village where once again we reversed to regain the route. We sped over narrow bridges with tranquil canals beneath. Despite the speed to keep to time (even though there were few people getting on or off) the driver was smooth and we arrived at Retford bus station on time.

Awaiting my journey to Worksop was one of my favourite buses – an Alexander bodied Volvo B10M. Though now considered outdated because of the entrance steps, the ride and smoothness beats many a low floor bus. The 42 left on time though, perhaps through inexperience, the young driver did not give us a smooth ride. I had a surprise when the bus turned on to the A1 and A57 and then into three large factory estates, including the national distribution centre for Wilkinsons hardware (how did they get permission to build this vast complex in the forest?). We then turned onto the Manton housing estate as we headed for Worksop town centre. After I alighted, the bus continued its journey as a town service.

In Worksop bus depot was another Volvo B10M with Sherwood Arrow on its destination. Yes, this turned out to be my next carriage in 35 minutes or so. Meanwhile, round the corner, I found myself staring at the menu of a café. An Italian waiter enticed me in and soon I was enjoying the most delicious sausage and mash with onion gravy. Mmmm.

Back in Hardy Street, the main Worksop bus loading point, the Sherwood Arrow pulled on to the stand. In front of me was a young mother with a baby in the biggest push chair I have ever seen. As the B10M had steps, it involved a laborious taking the baby out of the push chair and dismantling it, and finding somewhere for all the shopping bags. Fortunately, there were several family members to help. The bus left almost on time and I was to be treated to quite different scenery as we sped through the lovely trees of the Dukeries. Traffic in Worksop town centre caused us a few minutes delay so I missed my two minute connection on to the 15 to Mansfield at Ollerton Hop Pole so I went on to New Ollerton Briar Road to wait for the 14 to Mansfield. Though officially on a separate route (because of EC regulations restricting the maximum length of bus routes) ‘my’ bus continued its journey from Ollerton to Nottingham.

In good time, on the 14 what should come round the corner but yet another Enviro 400 for my trip to Mansfield! What’s more, my favourite seat at the front upstairs was free on this afternoon quiet journey as it was now too late to go shopping. Once again I enjoy the scenery particularly between Edwinstowe and Clipstone, past Sherwood Pines and King John’s Palace, heading towards the now disused colliery wheels standing proud on the landscape. This route now does not go round the Garibaldi estate (left to route 16) and soon we are heading into Mansfield, dropping off near the Palace Theatre, back on to the ring road and into the scruffy bus station, soon to be replaced by a brand new one.

I have 6 minutes before the 28B Eakring bus takes me to my local stop at Big Barn Lane on Southwell Road. It’s one of the few remaining Leyland Olympians and, yes, the front seat is available upstairs! Despite the family from hell allowing their kids to run up and down screeching, I have a good journey home after an excellent day out on the buses.

Verdict? All buses were clean and comfortable and were no more than two minutes late leaving my various boarding places. Any subsequent late running was due to traffic congestion and was unavoidable. All staff were polite, though one I thought could have been a bit more helpful. All drivers except for one were smooth despite often having to drive hard to keep to time, which they all did their best to do. Fares? Well, as a senior citizen I did not have to pay but I think all my journeys would have been covered by a £7.50 Day Out ticket - surely, a bargain. Leave the car at home? Driving a car in traffic jams I find stressful, but as a passenger it is relaxing to know somebody else is taking the strain. No parking spaces to find – a big bonus. The time factor is a problem, though. Travelling by public transport can take a great deal of time. Relaxation? In my opinion nothing can beat the front seat of a double decker for the view (except perhaps a helicopter, but I’ve never tried that).

My paragraph about bus travel 50 years ago was pretty damning. The problem is people have long memories about bad experiences even though these days, in my opinion, the bus is far more likely to turn up on time, to be comfortable to ride in and to be driven by a pleasant, conscientious driver.

My biggest surprise of the day was the disappointing number of passengers on most of the services. The smallest bus I went on had a standing load for a short time (though less than half of the seats taken for most of the way), but there was plenty of room as we sped through the villages on all the others. The bus companies have a long way to go to get their message across.

What do YOU think?

Oliver Foreman
26 September 2011