Bikes on Buses

[Pebble]

Borders Bike Buses look really good, though I’ve not used. I think the first route they used them on (X62) goes past some of the 7 Stanes trail centres which presumably helps drive demand/custom?

For it to work, would either need to be long distance (e.g Flixbus - not sure I’ve seen them with bikes on the back in the UK) or some there that there’s demand but no train option (so e.g. Hebden Bridge to Rochdale bisecting the MTL is probably pointless). Anyone got any suggestions for routes?

Those Borders buses look great and much better than a hold option (particularly for shorter journeys.

In terms of routes. I’d love to see the whole Traws Cambria network in Wales with similar capacity.

I occasionally use them and they are fantastic, apart from
Not every bus takes a bike, and there is no schedule for them so they can not be relied upon. The route I like to use, may be only 1 in 3 takes bikes, and since they are an hour apart.... you can't plan much in advance
There is an interactive map so you can check the bus that is on the way carries bikes, but that only gives me 45 minutes warning
https://bustimes.org/operators/borders-buses/map
clicik on the bus and it tells you if it allows bikes)

so to sum up - only ever get the bus for the outward journey and ride home - doing it the other way could leave you stranded.

As for busyness, they never are; I sometimes get the bus over to Berwick (when there is an easterly wind (cheat)) and if there is 3 people on the bus then that is a lot, sometimes I am the only passenger.

I was told a couple of years back that all future buses purchased would take bikes - but I have seen a few 24 and 74 plate buses (the newest) and they don't take bikes.

[PH]

I've traveled a fair bit, in UK and Europe, by coach. though it's with a larger folding bike rather than a full sized one. I always make sure I've read the T&C's, though it pretty clear some other users and most of the drivers haven't. I've met several riders with full sized bikes on services they're not permitted and I've gained an understanding of what matters to drivers - You don't damage other peoples stuff and you don't cause any delays getting on or off.

[Nigel]

Borders Bike Buses look really good, though I’ve not used. I think the first route they used them on (X62) goes past some of the 7 Stanes trail centres which presumably helps drive demand/custom?
..

...

I occasionally use them and they are fantastic, apart from
Not every bus takes a bike, and there is no schedule for them so they can not be relied upon. The route I like to use, may be only 1 in 3 takes bikes, and since they are an hour apart.... you can't plan much in advance
There is an interactive map so you can check the bus that is on the way carries bikes, but that only gives me 45 minutes warning
https://bustimes.org/operators/borders-buses/map
click on the bus and it tells you if it allows bikes)

so to sum up - only ever get the bus for the outward journey and ride home - doing it the other way could leave you stranded.

As for busyness, they never are; I sometimes get the bus over to Berwick (when there is an easterly wind (cheat)) and if there is 3 people on the bus then that is a lot, sometimes I am the only passenger.

I was told a couple of years back that all future buses purchased would take bikes - but I have seen a few 24 and 74 plate buses (the newest) and they don't take bikes.

Yes, that's my experience as well. Works for outbound, but if wanting a bus for a return ride, could be sitting at bus stop for a very long time wondering whether a bike-capable bus will be joining the route. Plus on a sunny weekend, a roadside risk of the bus already being full in busier areas.

I've seen various "this bus takes a bike" signs on back of single-deck buses on the Berwick-Kelso-Galashiels route, but that's not a route which is advertised as taking bikes. So, a bit confused.


So, summary, good start, but a but let down in the information/implementation details. OK for the odd leisure ride if it can be changed (hence outbound). If regular user of buses with bikes, then need a Brompton or similar compact folding bike.

[PH]

If regular user of buses with bikes, then need a Brompton or similar compact folding bike.

On most buses, I'd agree, anything larger than a Brompton might cause problems. On a coach, it's a bit more grey, if it looks like luggage, it'll probably be OK. The definition of what looks like luggage, seems to be in the hands of the driver. I've never been questioned loading my bagged Airnimal, even when it still looks like a bike, or it exceeds the dimensions in the T&C's. I think I'd also get away with using the Airnimal on some rural buses, if not too busy, but I haven't put that to the test.

[Pebble]

Yes, that's my experience as well. Works for outbound, but if wanting a bus for a return ride, could be sitting at bus stop for a very long time wondering whether a bike-capable bus will be joining the route. Plus on a sunny weekend, a roadside risk of the bus already being full in busier areas.

I've seen various "this bus takes a bike" signs on back of single-deck buses on the Berwick-Kelso-Galashiels route, but that's not a route which is advertised as taking bikes. So, a bit confused.


So, summary, good start, but a but let down in the information/implementation details. OK for the odd leisure ride if it can be changed (hence outbound). If regular user of buses with bikes, then need a Brompton or similar compact folding bike.

Yes, some routes are more reliable, I sometimes get the bus from gala to langholm when there is a good S.Westerly wind, thats a nice cheat, 50 windbound miles via Ettrick

The bike buses on the Gala Berwick route are very unreliable (either by duns or Kelso). but they do happen, I often take the Kels Berwick and the 5:10 is often a bike bus - there is a good early indication if this will be a bike bus - it is the same bus (the 253) that leaves Edinburgh at 1pm, it then becomes the Kelso bus nd leaves Kelso at 5:10. So I can ride down to Kelso, bus to Berwick then ride with the wind home.

[Nigel]

Yes, some routes are more reliable, I sometimes get the bus from gala to langholm when there is a good S.Westerly wind, thats a nice cheat, 50 windbound miles via Ettrick

The bike buses on the Gala Berwick route are very unreliable (either by duns or Kelso). but they do happen, I often take the Kels Berwick and the 5:10 is often a bike bus - there is a good early indication if this will be a bike bus - it is the same bus (the 253) that leaves Edinburgh at 1pm, it then becomes the Kelso bus nd leaves Kelso at 5:10. So I can ride down to Kelso, bus to Berwick then ride with the wind home.

Thanks for the info, I hadn't considered the Galashiels-Langholm bus as a ride option. Will look into it, as the return options include various roads I like.

Gala-Kelso-Berwick is useful for me, but not done enough to work out the rules/likelihood. Trouble is I'd probably be riding to Berwick and wanting a bus back, which breaks "rule-1" of using the bike-bus at present !

[Pebble]

Yes, some routes are more reliable, I sometimes get the bus from gala to langholm when there is a good S.Westerly wind, thats a nice cheat, 50 windbound miles via Ettrick

The bike buses on the Gala Berwick route are very unreliable (either by duns or Kelso). but they do happen, I often take the Kels Berwick and the 5:10 is often a bike bus - there is a good early indication if this will be a bike bus - it is the same bus (the 253) that leaves Edinburgh at 1pm, it then becomes the Kelso bus nd leaves Kelso at 5:10. So I can ride down to Kelso, bus to Berwick then ride with the wind home.

Thanks for the info, I hadn't considered the Galashiels-Langholm bus as a ride option. Will look into it, as the return options include various roads I like.

Gala-Kelso-Berwick is useful for me, but not done enough to work out the rules/likelihood. Trouble is I'd probably be riding to Berwick and wanting a bus back, which breaks "rule-1" of using the bike-bus at present !

think it is the X95 Carlisle - wonderful ride back via Ettrick

Gala to berwick, you would need the X60 as that goes all the way via Duns to Berwick
the X67 Gala Kelso Berwick would be a nonsense as it is two buses and you change in Kelso - 2 buses meeting each other on this route both taking bikes would be a miracle, more chance winning the lottery

[ratherbeintobago]

Occasionally meet my parents in Carlisle and I’ve seen single decker Borders buses with bike signs on in the town centre

[gbnz]

when there is a good S.Westerly wind, thats a nice cheat, 50 windbound miles .

It's not cheat, a notable NE wind (Nb. & a super cheap, last minute train ticket), was my rationale to head up to Berwick last Wednesday, mid afternoon. Using a Border bus would allow a day ride to start far further West, prior to heading South (Nb. Have never headed beyond Coldstream). That said, think Kelso is the furthest West a FOC English Bus Pass goes

[Pebble]

when there is a good S.Westerly wind, thats a nice cheat, 50 windbound miles .

It's not cheat, a notable NE wind (Nb. & a super cheap, last minute train ticket), was my rationale to head up to Berwick last Wednesday, mid afternoon. Using a Border bus would allow a day ride to start far further West, prior to heading South (Nb. Have never headed beyond Coldstream). That said, think Kelso is the furthest West a FOC English Bus Pass goes

I think, as long as you bus is crossing the border, your pass will go as far as that bus goes, so I suspect you could get the 253 bus from Berwick to Edinburgh or the number 60 Berwick to Gala
I know folk in Jeda use the free pass for a day out at the metro center or Newcastle

you would love coming down through yetholm wooler eglingamh back to Anwick - NW of wooler the roads are deserted

[ratherbeintobago]

Again, parents reckon they can get to Carlisle on a Scottish bus pass. Don’t know about Newcastle.

[gbnz]

when there is a good S.Westerly wind, thats a nice cheat, 50 windbound miles .

It's not cheat, a notable NE wind (Nb. & a super cheap, last minute train ticket), was my rationale to head up to Berwick last Wednesday, mid afternoon. Using a Border bus would allow a day ride to start far further West, prior to heading South (Nb. Have never headed beyond Coldstream). That said, think Kelso is the furthest West a FOC English Bus Pass goes

I think, as long as you bus is crossing the border, your pass will go as far as that bus goes, so I suspect you could get the 253 bus from Berwick to Edinburgh or the number 60 Berwick to Gala
I know folk in Jeda use the free pass for a day out at the metro center or Newcastle

you would love coming down through yetholm wooler eglingamh back to Anwick - NW of wooler the roads are deserted

Nope, a disabled pass not OAP, so disabled only allowed to travel as far as Duns and/or Kelso ? Anywhere as far as Jedburgh definitely banned. One of the key reasons I use A roads now, 30 miles down the A 1 dual carriageway decent way to get somewhere and/or kick start a ride (Nb. Haven't had police pick me off the A1 since 27 August, though ambulance was after me 14 September. Benefit of knowing the roads, NHS is normally easy enough to avoid, can be worth getting off the road to allow them to pass overnight)

A697 is always quiet, overnight rare to have anything after 23.00Hr's.. Last week was empty by 22.30, Wooler, had a HGV September. Eglingham road is quieter, though cutting a mile off the journey overnight, makes A697 worth it (Nb. + white lines, non-pothole, makes it easier)

[plancashire]

You can take bikes on ordinary buses in Germany, although you might have to give up a space for a buggy or wheelchair. Our local transport company specifically advertised this some years ago. German buses usually have a large space in the middle accessed by double doors. It has folding seats and a specific blue button for wheelchair users to press when they want to get off. On some buses the driver has to operate the ramp, on others it is passenger-operated.

My wife and I used this space on a rail replacement bus service recently, as did others. Bendy buses have two spaces. You can squeeze in three or four bikes per space if you remove panniers, unless you have ridiculously wide handlebars like some MTBs.

I travelled on a double-decker bus on the outskirts of London last week. There is no space for any of these uses. Is anyone taking the transport companies to court for discrimination against people with disabilities and young children?