Whippet Happenings 2019

[gc_bus]

Lk54FLG noted on X3 today (Sunday). I wonder if the X3 will continue after end of March or, I guess, Whippet will pull it again as the temporary subsidy will end. Whippet don't seem to have done very much more lately to promote it in my opinion.

[TCD813]

Funding was temporary as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority take over as Transport Authority this year. Mayor Palmer's review of Bus services is due to report shortly.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review recommends that Palmer uses his devolved powers under the Bus Services Act 2017 to implement bus franchising. Stagecoach oppose this (see ex-MD of Stagecoach East Andy Campbell's view here.) Whereas Whippet's MD, Charlie Hamilton is a strong supporter (PDF).

From what I can glean, in discussions with a number of politically-involved individuals, Palmer is moving toward support for franchising.

Whether the TfL model or something nearer the States of Jersey model (PDF) would suit Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is a moot point.

[gc_bus]

Looks like the Whippet X3 and other routes have been saved/funded until April 2020:

https://www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/news/heidi-allen-mp-encouraged-proposed-extension-x3-bus-services

[Bob]

From Notices & Proceedings:-

"HUNTINGDONSHIRE/CAMBRIDGESHIRE
===========================
Whippet Coaches
To CANCEL
X3 Huntingdon to Cambridge Via Papworth
21st April 2019
*
To CANCEL
61/62 and 61X St Neots Town Service
20 April 2019. "

[TCD813]

From Notices & Proceedings:-

"HUNTINGDONSHIRE/CAMBRIDGESHIRE
===========================
Whippet Coaches
To CANCEL
X3 Huntingdon to Cambridge Via Papworth
21st April 2019
*
To CANCEL
61/62 and 61X St Neots Town Service
20 April 2019. "

Which N&P is this in, Bob?

I've downloaded all of these 2019 notices and proceedings:

NP 2366 - 13 March 2019 (objection deadline 3 April 2019) (PDF, 231KB, 13 pages)
NP 2365 - 6 March 2019 (objection deadline 27 March 2019) (PDF, 309KB, 18 pages)
NP 2364 - 27 February 2019 (objection deadline 20 March 2019) (PDF, 300KB, 15 pages)
NP 2363 - 20 February 2019 (objection deadline 13 March 2019) (PDF, 228KB, 12 pages)
NP 2362 - 13 February 2019 (objection deadline 6 March 2019) (PDF, 233KB, 14 pages)
NP 2361 - 6 February 2019 (objection deadline 27 February 2019) (PDF, 262KB, 12 pages)
NP 2360 - 30 January 2018 (objection deadline 20 February 2019) (PDF, 273KB, 15 pages)
NP 2359 - 23 January 2018 (objection deadline 13 February 2019) (PDF, 256KB, 14 pages)
NP 2358 - 16 January 2018 (objection deadline 6 February 2019) (PDF, 437KB, 15 pages)
NP 2357 - 9 January 2018 (objection deadline 30 January 2019) (PDF, 223KB, 12 pages)
NP 2356 - 2 January 2018 (objection deadline 23 January 2019) (PDF, 273KB, 21 pages)

The only mention of Whippet which I can find is in:
NOTICES AND PROCEEDINGS
PUBLICATION NUMBER: 2358
PUBLICATION DATE: 16/01/2019
OBJECTION DEADLINE DATE: 06/02/2019

Section 3.1 – Registration of New Services
PF0000108/161
WHIPPET COACHES LIMITED, UNIT 1, 2 ROWLES WAY, BUCKINGWAY BUSINESS PARK, SWAVESEY, CAMBRIDGE, CB24 4UG From: Drummer St Bus Station/ Swavesby Guideway Cambridge
To: Addenbrookes Hospital
Via: Railway Station
Name or No.: P /
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 18 February 2019
Other details: Monday to Friday

[Bob]

It was snipped from a long post on Facebook.

[TCD813]

It was snipped from a long post on Facebook.

I’d be really grateful if you could track this down further, for authenticity, Bob. I’m meeting with a couple of local councillors in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge city tomorrow and another set next Wednesday and they would be most concerned were this to be the case.

Neither do I want to waste Charlie Hamilton’s time by emailing him about this unless I have chapter-and-verse on it. 

[Jos]

The cancellations are listed on the Vehicle Operator Licensing website:

St Neots Town Service: https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/530871/
X3: https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/530872/

Is the Notices & Proceedings document wrong, or is the website wrong?

[gc_bus]

Having phoned Whippet, I can state that the X3/61/61X are going out to tender from mid April. Whippet have themselves tendered for them but we will have to see who wins the tender.

[TCD813]

Having phoned Whippet, I can state that the X3/61/61X are going out to tender from mid April. Whippet have themselves tendered for them but we will have to see who wins the tender.

That clears up the confusion. Many thanks.

[HughT]

Closing date for submission of tenders is... today! Contract to run from 20 April 2019 to 17 April 2020.

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5c4fa4f9-4641-4c84-8735-f1906a9942a9?p=@FQxUlRRPT0=NjJNT08=U

[John Wakefield]

So Cambs County Council are still issuing the contracts for tendered services, the Cambridgeshire Combined Authority under Mayor Palmer was due to take over public transport as from April this year, that clearly is not happening.
Looks like Andy Hunt is now in the 'hot seat' at Cambs County Council as Paul Nelson the head of the dept is due to retire shortly.

[gc_bus]

I would think that Stagecoach would tender strongly for the X3 to interwork daytime journeys with their new H peak times service.

[Derbyshire Ninja]

I would think that Stagecoach would tender strongly for the X3 to interwork daytime journeys with their new H peak times service.

Stagecoach could tag it on to there 18 service or run it through to St Neots again

[Habbinman]

Which N&P is this in, Bob?

I've downloaded all of these 2019 notices and proceedings:

NP 2366 - 13 March 2019 (objection deadline 3 April 2019) (PDF, 231KB, 13 pages)
NP 2365 - 6 March 2019 (objection deadline 27 March 2019) (PDF, 309KB, 18 pages)
NP 2364 - 27 February 2019 (objection deadline 20 March 2019) (PDF, 300KB, 15 pages)
NP 2363 - 20 February 2019 (objection deadline 13 March 2019) (PDF, 228KB, 12 pages)
NP 2362 - 13 February 2019 (objection deadline 6 March 2019) (PDF, 233KB, 14 pages)
NP 2361 - 6 February 2019 (objection deadline 27 February 2019) (PDF, 262KB, 12 pages)
NP 2360 - 30 January 2018 (objection deadline 20 February 2019) (PDF, 273KB, 15 pages)
NP 2359 - 23 January 2018 (objection deadline 13 February 2019) (PDF, 256KB, 14 pages)
NP 2358 - 16 January 2018 (objection deadline 6 February 2019) (PDF, 437KB, 15 pages)
NP 2357 - 9 January 2018 (objection deadline 30 January 2019) (PDF, 223KB, 12 pages)
NP 2356 - 2 January 2018 (objection deadline 23 January 2019) (PDF, 273KB, 21 pages)

The only mention of Whippet which I can find is in:
NOTICES AND PROCEEDINGS
PUBLICATION NUMBER: 2358
PUBLICATION DATE: 16/01/2019
OBJECTION DEADLINE DATE: 06/02/2019

Section 3.1 – Registration of New Services
PF0000108/161
WHIPPET COACHES LIMITED, UNIT 1, 2 ROWLES WAY, BUCKINGWAY BUSINESS PARK, SWAVESEY, CAMBRIDGE, CB24 4UG From: Drummer St Bus Station/ Swavesby Guideway Cambridge
To: Addenbrookes Hospital
Via: Railway Station
Name or No.: P /
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 18 February 2019
Other details: Monday to Friday

No doubt it will appear in the next Notices & Proceedings No. 2367, as it would take a few days to process, after it was received 9th March.

[Habbinman]

I would think that Stagecoach would tender strongly for the X3 to interwork daytime journeys with their new H peak times service.

Think you'll find that the NEW H service has been part funded by Papworth Hospital, therefore no extension to the route may be possible ? The service has basically been set up to cater for staff living in the Papworth area to get to work at the NEW Papworth Hospital at Addenbrookes Site, and save car use/parking problems there.

[Barry]

Is the H already related to the R?

[HughT]

Is the H already related to the R?

Only in the rather pointless use of letters for service numbers! At least the other SC lettered services were previously all associated with the Busway, but the "H" breaks that pattern. But this is a Whippet thread, so I'm getting off-topic somewhat...

[Barry]

The times do make it look like it's related to *something* else though (meaning that the buses therefore wouldn't be available to run an X3 the rest of the day)? 

[Spoddendale]

Notices and Proceeding number 2367 dated 20 March 2019 contains the following applications:

Section 3.5 – Cancellations of Existing Services

PF0000108/63 WHIPPET COACHES LIMITED, UNIT 1, 2 ROWLES WAY, BUCKINGWAY BUSINESS PARK, SWAVESEY, CAMBRIDGE, CB24 4UG Operating between St Neots Town Service and St Neots Town Service given service number 61, 62 / 61 / 61X effective from 20 April 2019.

PF0000108/160 WHIPPET COACHES LIMITED, UNIT 1, 2 ROWLES WAY, BUCKINGWAY BUSINESS PARK, SWAVESEY, CAMBRIDGE, CB24 4UG Operating between Huntingdon and Cambridge given service number X3 / X3 effective from 21 April 2019.

Section 3.2 – Registration of New Services Granted Under Short Notice

No entries


David

[gc_bus]

Whippet have won back the X3 tendered service from 22nd April. However sadly the Sunday and Bank Holiday services have been dropped. Whippet will also continue to run the 61/61X.

[bristolsrus]

Evening all,

Todays local sightings were of Volvo B7TL  WD429  LK 54FLG on the X3,   and Enviro 200 WS318  MX 12CFA, on the 8.   

In other news, some Caetano boded Scania's noted were  BV 67JZJ, BV 67JZH, BV 67JZM, BV 67JZN, BV 67JZP & BV 67JZR,  plus BL 17XAX, & non tri-axle BK 15AKG, seen working on their various National Express services today.

ChrisB
 

[HughT]

I think it's worth mentioning that Whippet operated a full "P" service on both Good Friday and Easter Monday. It might have been even better had Traveline said the route wasn't operating, but that's a separate matter. Good to see a bit of initiative on days when most operators try to keep as many buses as possible locked up in their depots.

There was also a "Sunday" service on the "U" on both dates - but I'm guessing this is determined by the University, not the operator. On Friday I happened to be on the last U from the Station to Eddington (the 1910). By the time we reached West Rd there were over 30 passengers on board.

[gc_bus]

Shame that the Sunday/Bank Holiday X3's have stopped now the route has been tendered. Mind you, some did not run at all today due to vehicle breakdown and "heavy traffic" on the A1198. No spares to inject it seems. No wonder Whippet struggle with passengers!

[gc_bus]

There are some unusual workings this week on Whippet "Busway" services due to what appears to be a lack of available guided vehicles in the Whippet fleet currently.

Yesterday, E200 GX57AUT  (WS316) was on the P (having to use Hills Road to get to Addenbrookes from the Railway Station)

Also yesterday, Wright/B7TL LK04HYS (WD443) was on the U (but terminating at the Railway Station) and did one round trip in the morning.

Today, Wright/B7TL LK04HYX (WD438) is on the P.

E300 SN04EFS (WS325) has made some rare appearances too this week and is currently on the 400 series.

[Emms1]

Noted today was WS316 on the 400 and 401 a far cry from the coaches that once haunted the once extensive collection 400 routes, and more recently became a stronghold for Enviro 300 (are Enviro 200s now the regular bus for them routes? or was this a one off appearance?)
all other sighting were all EX-London wrights didn't note numbers as the sight of them has become tedious hence why I have lost interest in whippet in recent years.

[gc_bus]

Whippet yesterday announced that the new Pedigree (P) bus service will be withdrawn from 23rd August after a "trial" of some 6 months. Not enough passengers is the cited reason (their website is yet to be updated to this effect). The P runs Monday - Friday every 15 mins from Dummer Street Bus Station; Railway Station then Addenbrookes/Biomedical Park. The first three morning and last three evening services also serve Orchard Park; Longstanton P&R and Swavesey.  I'm not surprised it will end as all fares have been recently reduced to £1 per single journey anywhere on the route and then Stagecoach followed suite. There are plenty of Stagecoach buses serving the route so not sure what Whippet thought their USP was. Let's hope the B7RLE's find a new route to run on. Running them on the X3 would be good to replace the ever increasingly breaking down B7TL's.

[John Wakefield]

Whippet have not updated the news page on their website since 28th April 2019 So much for keeping their passengers informed!

[busman]

Extra vehicles have been allocated to the U which are running shorts from Madingley Road to the railway station during the Cambridge Open Days. Something to do with the university. Both LK04 HZD & LK54 FLE  being used yesterday.

[gc_bus]

Whippet have not updated the news page on their website since 28th April 2019 So much for keeping their passengers informed!

Indeed and their timetable booklet was last updated with Issue 13 back in September last year. It's therefore out of date - some other timetables have been issued since but not a combined one. Marketing doesn't seem to be their strong point any more especially since the Commercial Manager left last year. Hope they get better soon.