NHBUG feedback and comments.
This page expands upon the information in the News page by including extra detail and personal views from members. Views expressed are not necessarrily those of the North Herts Bus User Group.
Content from members is welcome. Please email any comments and news to ,
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Good to see that the Stagecoach 9A/B/D service will serve Stevenage Old Town from June 1st. This is a welcome addition after the massive reduction in Arriva services to the Old Town over the last few years.
Thank you Stagecoach
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On the ground the availability of Real Time Information (RTI) has improved even if still not perfect. The screens in Letchworth Station Rd show almost full RTI but the screen at Ivel Court in the Jackmans only shows RTI for one bus out of the three services available, even though the same buses have RTI showing elsewhere. And there is a total lack of RTI at Stevenage bus interchange, so we still have a bit of a way to go. Lets hope the new HCC administration will hurry things along a bit. For an update from Intalink regarding RTI see the News page
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Comments from Paul Spelzini South Herts BUG 20th and 8 April 2025
One innovative bus operator is now rolling out AI flow control software across London and south Herts following successful trials
This is an exciting development as it automatically monitors incidents, reports and regulates service on higher frequency bus corridors. This allows better deployment of staff on customer service and shifts, and reduces delays and waiting times by up to 2000 hours.
The system is also to be rolled out across Asia and Australia.
It has been trialled on the busy 113 and 142 in Watford, but will now extend to the 331, 258, 324, 107, 292 (until December),317, 327 and 491 services in the county.
Herts will also now have its 6th and 7th regular EV services with the 292 by UNO and 491 by late 2025. The PB1 has gone back to high emission diesel to cut cost which is a backward step.
X5 cancellation:. This marks the end of Arriva operations in West Herts north of Hemel after 95 years where there is now a red group monopoly. There are also growing monopolies in Lea Valley and Hertford with Central Connect and UNO in central/south herts which is bad news for users.. UNO at least are proposing some new airport and south herts services, whilst '9-5' red eagle (who don't do Sundays) are already axing the 165 in Tring where services are already thin.
Essex CC are reviewing all their contract services to save money and reconfiguring 43 and axing 21. Central Connect are axing services in Saffron Walden plus First to Stansted which has rightly caused public anger. Perhaps we need to talk to our new (Reform) county councillors in May about doing something similar as the Lib Dems have been useless here..
The really sad thing in all this is that 4 substantial and reliable quality operators such as Metroline in Potters Bar, Mullaleys in Watford, Lucketts in South Oxhey and PPH in St.Albans are now estranged from HCC bus operations, and indeed don't even list Intalink on their websites. It's also daft that tendering has buses from Aylesbury operating miles away in St.Albans, and buses from Potters Bar operating miles away in Waltham Cross in the county but none in the town? HCC needs to keep these guys 'onside' or they may just up and leave, and join the exodus to the US, causing job losses and decline here..
The new 500 service is only hourly-a 50% cut- and the evening service has vanished after 7pm. My wife travels to Tring and Wendover from St.Albans, so will have to drive now. Sylvia, one of our group, raves about the Bucks on demand service to Wendover though.
The 84b has been secured by Hertsmere, so well done! probably due to be retendered ideally to a local operator.
Bus 84B: Potters bar to Barnet bus route future 'secure' | Welwyn Hatfield Times
Another article about the 84B service from Potter Bar to Barnet on the Bus and Train user website
https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/02/04/checking-out-the-84b/
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