Ipswich Update
Renewed bus stations
The remodelled Tower Ramparts Bus Station
There are two separate bus stations in Ipswich a relatively short walk apart. The Tower Ramparts site is used predominantly by Ipswich Buses and First, while the Old Cattle Market site sees buses from both companies as well as the independents among them Galloway, Carters and Simonds.
Real time information equipment has been installed but at the time of my visit was still not active with ‘Coming soon – Real Time Passenger Information will be available here’ paper stickers where the real time information will eventually appear.
The Old Cattle Market Bus Station has been refurbished and re-equipped
Both bus stations have new black painted bus shelters. The previous individual shelters have been replaced by continual shelters. They have raised the profile of the bus services using them.
There have been some issues with the road surfaces in both stations which are more slippery than previously and Ipswich drivers are under strict instruction to keep their speed down to around 5mph within them.
The refurbishment of the two bus stations does not appear to have had any impact on ridership.
Vehicle investment
An ADL Enviro200 that entered service in December in the pale blue and green version of the latest livery
Originally a hybrid, this Optare Solo now operates under diesel power on the free 38 service
As well as the secondhand Versas, recent investment has also seen the acquisition of four brand new Cummins engined ADL Enviro200s, joining an Enviro300 that entered service in June 2012. A pair of the new 38-seat buses were delivered in the now standard green and purple livery during October and a second pair in a revised livery with the purple replaced by the light blue of the park and ride in November, entered service in December. The pale blue colours have been applied in order that they can act as spares for the park and ride. Two of the older 1997 East Lancs Spryte Dart SLFs went in part exchange.
A former Stagecoach ALX200 Dart SLF in the new livery
Early in December, one of the New Bus for London double deckers spent a week in Ipswich where it was used on the free town centre circular 38 service funded by Suffolk County Council. It made a marked contrast to the usual vehicle on the service, an Optare Solo that now runs as a diesel though it was originally a hybrid. The route carries 180,000 people annually, running on a 20 minute frequency throughout the day, augmented by a second low floor bus between 12.00 and 14.00 to give a 10 minute frequency in this period.
Malcolm said of the NBfL, ‘there was a tremendous enthusiast response to it. It is good for people to see what you can have if you’ve got the money to invest.’