Bus passengers across the Harrogate district were made late for school and work today, after dozens of cancellations were caused when vehicles were filled up with the wrong type of fuel.
At least 56 services were scrapped on six routes, leading to one of the worst days for disruption so far this year for The Harrogate Bus Company.
The company’s website stated there were numerous cancellations of the 36 service between Ripon and Leeds via Harrogate, the 1, 1A, 1B and 1D between Harrogate and Knaresborough, and the 3 from Harrogate to Jennyfield.
This morning, it also tweeted that the S2 school bus from Bilton to Rossett School was being delayed by up to 30 minutes due to what the Harrogate Bus Company said was “a vehicle-related issue”.
After receiving reports from readers, the Stray Ferret asked The Harrogate Bus Company about the disruptions. Operations director Vitto Pizzuti said:
“We apologise to our customers for the issues on some of our routes today. Since summer 2023, all our diesel buses have been running on a blend of biodiesel, leading to reduced emissions: the proportion of biodiesel in the fuel blend is normally higher in summer, and lower in winter.
“Unfortunately, it seems our fuel supplier delivered a higher bio blend to our depot last week, which meant that some of our buses were unable to run in the low temperatures over the weekend and this morning. Our supplier, Argent, is currently investigating what happened and has assured us that any necessary lessons will be learned.”
He said the company’s engineers were working through the affected vehicles and normal levels of service were expected to resume by tomorrow (Tuesday, December 5).
He added:
“In the meantime, our advice to customers is to check before travelling on the free Transdev Go app and if your service is cancelled today, please let us know and we will send you a voucher for a free trip next time.”
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Business Breakfast: Harrogate bus operator launches skills drive for engineers
The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting will take place on Thursday, November 30.
The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories.
Transdev, the Yorkshire company that owns the Harrogate Bus Company, has teamed up with one of the North’s leading apprenticeships providers to tackle the shortage of expert engineers.
The bus operator and Manchester-based Total People have launched SkillUp, a pioneering joint initiative to both attract newcomers and to encourage those already in other roles – including bus drivers – to retrain as qualified engineers.
It’s hoped the new engineers will lead Transdev’s drive towards electric power, by gaining specialist knowledge needed to maintain the latest battery-powered buses.
SkillUp is also offering semi-skilled people who already have workshop experience the opportunity to complete a fast-track one year course to boost their knowledge and skills.
Harrogate-based Owen Baxter is already in the third year of a four-year Mechelec Engineering Apprenticeship. He said:
“The joy of it for me is in fault-finding – the ability to look at something that doesn’t work, find the cause, and fix it. I love that feeling of achievement when you return a bus to the road, and I’m lucky to be learning from the best in the business.
“Everyone here specialises in a particular area, including electrical, mechanical and bodywork. That means I’m getting wide experience in an apprenticeship leading to an exciting future, just as we prepare to switch over to 100 per cent electric bus operation.”
Total People managing director Mel Nicholson said:
“This is a really exciting opportunity. Not only can we start people off on their new career in automotive engineering, we also get to help those already in the industry to take the next step in their careers. We can’t wait to see all the new faces, and maybe some familiar ones!”
Full details of the opportunities are available online.
Writing workshops in Knaresborough
Harrogate funeral company Full Circle will be running a series of writing workshops over the next six months, designed to help people express their feelings following personal loss.
The 10 sessions, to be held at Gracious Street in Knaresborough, will be split into two separate ‘circles’ and facilitated by writer, educator and celebrant Stephen Mckenzie, who was a secondary school teacher of English, Literature and Drama for over 30 years.
Full Circle said:
“Writing can be a powerful tool for processing and expressing complex emotions and we are delighted to be hosting a series of workshops for anyone who is interesting in exploring the benefits of creative writing for those experiencing grief and loss.
“There are many ways we might choose to write about people we have lost. These sessions will explore how we might use any form of text or writing to remember and celebrate our loved ones.”
For more information about the sessions’ content and to book a place at any of the workshops, visit Full Circle’s website.
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Harrogate Bus Company introduces two-for-one travel on Fridays
The Harrogate Bus Company is introducing a two-for-one travel deal on Fridays as part of a campaign to persuade motorists to cut emissions.
The scheme, which begins in two days, enables two people to travel using a Harrogate one-day ticket costing £5.70
The bus company said today it was supporting the charity Zero Carbon Harrogate’s car-free Friday initiative, which relaunches on Friday this week.
Zero Carbon Harrogate is inviting motorists to sign up online to a pledge to leave their cars at home at least one day a week.
Paul Turner, commercial director of the Harrogate Bus Company, which plans to convert its entire Harrogate fleet to zero-emission electric power next year, said:
“As well as the benefit to our local environment, choosing the bus makes sense in lots more ways – it’s a lot less stressful than driving, and with a full day’s travel anywhere for two people travelling together within Harrogate, Knaresborough, Wetherby and as far as Harewood and Ripley on the 36 at only £5.70 on Car Free Fridays, it’s a lot cheaper than driving into town and paying for parking.”
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Cars make up an estimated 49 per cent of total emissions in the Harrogate district – a percentage that remained almost static over the 10 years prior to the pandemic, while emissions produced by generating power for homes fell by 26.5 per cent over the same period.
Jemima Parker, chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:
“We all know congestion has returned to Harrogate’s roads following the pandemic – and cars are one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in our town.
“That’s why we are bringing back our Car Free Fridays campaign, and inviting drivers to sign a pledge to leave the car at home. Doing so will improve air quality for everyone, while walking to the bus stop can also boost our own physical and mental health.”
The deal is available on all Harrogate Bus Company services in and around Harrogate and Knaresborough, plus routes 7 and 8 as far as Wetherby, and the 36 north as far as Ripley and south as far as Harewood.
Harlow Carr bus service to stop running this weekendA popular bus service which connects Harrogate town centre with one of the UK’s finest horticultural gardens will stop running this weekend.
Harrogate Bus Company’s X6 service, whose passengers are eligible for a 30% discount on entry to RHS Harlow Carr, was launched in July but was only ever intended to run until today (September 3).
The timetable change is one of several announced by the bus company, all of which will come into force on Sunday.
The schedule for the number 1 bus between Harrogate and Knaresborough will be changed slightly to improve reliability, although the frequency will remain the same.
On the number 2 service between Harrogate and Bilton, there will be minor changes to departure times from Knox into Harrogate.
Some afternoon departures on the number 8 bus between Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby will have new times. The 4.21pm from Knaresborough to Wetherby will run at 4.41pm, the 4.55pm from Wetherby will run at 5.15pm and the 6pm from Harrogate will run at 6.15pm. There are no changes to Saturday the service.
There will also be some changes to the 620H (Dacre to Rossett School), 720H (West Tanfield to Ripon schools), S2 (Bilton to Rossett School), S3 (Penny Pot to Rossett School), S6 (Bilton to Rossett School), S8 (Woodlands to Harrogate) & S36 (Ripon to St John Fisher) buses to ensure the services run reliably and meet the school starting and finishing times.
Updated timetables can now be downloaded from the Harrogate Bus Company website.
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Business Breakfast: Transport leaders to reveal plans for Harrogate
The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm.
The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Prominent local transport leaders will discuss their future plans with Harrogate businesses next week.
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting on September 11 includes key speakers from the bus, rail and aviation sectors.
They include Henri Rohard, managing director of Harrogate Bus Company, Tony Baxter, regional director east at rail operator Northern, David Flesher, commercial director of LNER and Vincent Hodder, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport.
A chamber spokesman said:
“Harrogate businesses rely on dependable transport, and so this event is an invaluable opportunity for members to ask travel-related questions to experts.”
The event at the Cedar Court Hotel begins with networking at 5.30 pm and ends at 8pm. You can book a spot to attend here.
Harrogate agency recognised by World Land Trust
The environmental charity World Land Trust has recognised a Harrogate research agency as a valued and significant supporter
The agency, which was established by Jennifer Brennan and Clare Vokes in 2019, donates a percentage of its annual turnover to the trust.
Its contribution was mentioned in the charity’s latest annual report.
Ms Brennan said:
“Even if you’re too busy running your business, there are easy steps you can take, like supporting organisations like the World Land Trust to protect biodiverse habitat and help offset your organisation’s carbon footprint. If businesses act collectively, we can make a difference.”
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Harrogate Bus Company places £21m order for 39 electric buses
The Harrogate Bus Company has placed orders worth £21 million for 39 new buses and to equip its Starbeck depot to convert its entire Harrogate fleet to fully electric power.
Funding for the bid includes £7.8 million secured by North Yorkshire Council from the government’s zero emission bus regional areas scheme.
Ministers set-up the scheme to help local authorities outside London introduce zero-emission buses.
The Harrogate Bus Company, whose services include the 36 that runs between Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds, is owned by French firm Transdev.
Transdev has already trialled several types of all-electric buses on three routes in and around Harrogate, and on its shuttle route linking Bradford and Keighley.
Transdev orders, which it revealed today, call for:
- 20 new Mercedes-Benz E-Citaro all-electric single deck buses, to be used on the urban route 1 between Harrogate and Knaresborough, route 7 linking Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds, and rural route 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge.
- 19 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400EV fully electric double deck buses, to relaunch flagship route, The 36 linking Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds. These will be among the first of this new British-built design to enter service.
One of eight current Harrogate Electrics-branded single deck vehicles, seen at Harrogate Bus Station.
Henri Rohard, managing director of Transdev, described the news as “an important evolution in the quality and sustainability of our network in and around our home town of Harrogate”.
Mr Rohard added:
“All our bus fleet will be renewed in the process, giving our Harrogate Bus Company the most modern and passenger oriented network.
“In combination with our existing eight Harrogate Electrics-branded Volvo 7900E electric buses, the first of their kind in Britain, 47 fully-electric vehicles are now expected to be in service in spring 2024.
“Higher power output delivered by today’s new generation batteries means each bus can go further between charge-ups – and to make sure we provide a reliable service, our buses will also have top-up charges at Harrogate Bus Station, as they will travel further in a day than the maximum range achievable by fully electric buses.”
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The Starbeck depot will be upgraded.
Roads minister Richard Holden said:
“It’s fantastic to see Transdev turn its Harrogate fleet to fully electric by ordering 39 new electric buses.
“We’ve awarded £330 million of dedicated funding for zero emission buses in England excluding London, as we continue in our quest to decarbonise transport and reach net zero by 2050.”
Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire Council was among 12 local authorities to submit a successful bid for government funding.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transport, said:
“It’s great news for passengers and an important step towards achieving our climate aims.”
Harrogate Bus Company announces timetable changes
The number 36 bus between Leeds and Ripon via Harrogate is to run every 10 minutes again from next month, the Harrogate Bus Company has confirmed.
The service had been running less frequently due to the four-week closure of the Grade II* listed Harewood Bridge for essential maintenance works, which are due to end on Thursday, August 24.
The timetable change is one of several announced by the bus company, all of which will come into force on Sunday, September 3.
The schedule for the number 1 bus between Harrogate and Knaresborough will be changed slightly to improve reliability, although the frequency will remain the same.
On the number 2 service between Harrogate and Bilton, there will be minor changes to departure times from Knox into Harrogate.
Some afternoon departures on the number 8 bus between Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby will have new times. The 4.21pm from Knaresborough to Wetherby will run at 4.41pm, the 4.55pm from Wetherby will run at 5.15pm and the 6pm from Harrogate will run at 6.15pm. There are no changes to Saturday the service.
There will also be some changes to the 620H (Dacre to Rosset School), 720H (West Tanfield to Ripon schools), S2 (Bilton to Rosset School), S3 (Penny Pot to Rosset School), S6 (Bilton to Rosset School), S8 (Woodlands to Harrogate) & S36 (Ripon to St John Fisher) buses to ensure the services run reliably and meet the school starting and finishing times.
New timetables will be available to download soon from the Harrogate Bus Company website.
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Business Breakfast: £660m investment fund to be launched
Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers. At the next Stray Ferret Business Club we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy.
The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A £660 million investment fund to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in northern England is set to be launched early next year.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will offer a range of commercial finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million.
The fund, which is being launched by the British Business Bank will address a funding gap in the north and increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses.
Ken Cooper, managing director of venture solutions at the British Business Bank, said the launch of the fund “will further increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses in the region, providing finance for firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance”.
Mr Cooper added:
“We know that the levels of private debt lending and equity investment in the north of England remain below expectations given the region’s share of the UK’s smaller business population and that is something this next generation of the fund will continue to address by backing ambitious businesses that will drive sustainable economic growth.”
The fund will operate across three tiers: smaller loans (£25,000 to £100,000), debt (£100,000 to £2 million) and equity (up to £5 million).
Transdev offers free military bus travel
Bus operator Transdev, which includes the Harrogate Bus Company, is offering free travel for Yorkshire’s serving military and veterans on Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
All journeys on the bus firm’s network will be free throughout the day to current forces personnel, cadet volunteers and veterans from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Armed Forces Day in June each year salutes the service of men and women in the military.
Those eligible must show a forces ID card, wear their uniform or display their medals.
£2 bus fare cap to be extended in Harrogate district until October
The £2 cap on single bus fares is set to be extended in the Harrogate district until October 31.
The government announced an extra £300 million funding for the scheme today.
From November, the cap will rise to £2.50 for another 12 months.
A list of bus companies and routes in Yorkshire and the Humber taking part in the initiative is available here.
The scheme, which was introduced in January, was due to end in June.
Ministers at the Department for Transport said the extension will help people with the cost of living.
It means bus companies in Harrogate look set to continue the £2 cap on single fares.
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A spokesman for Transdev, which runs Harrogate Bus Company, said:
“We wish to participate in the extended arrangements announced today, and will confirm further details with our customers and colleagues shortly.”
DalesBus also confirmed it would participate in the scheme.
Meanwhile, Mark Harper, transport secretary, said:
“Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.
“That’s why we’re investing half a billion pounds to help people save money amid cost of living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.”