Trams Need Rails (2) [mini blog]

 Excellent Publicity

The diagram is helpful for regulars, but the accurate geographical map (see yesterday's blog) is much better, especially for those bamboozled by necessary  deviations from the tram route. Also, for the unwary, buses cannot always stop at tram stops!

The web site does, however, provide a list of stops served by the replacement bus.

Even better, you get local maps guiding you from tram stop to bus stop.

They are accurate and helpful.

Unlike Manchester, where tram timetables are a closely guarded secret, Sheffield has always published proper timetables for its tram route, as per the example sample below.

The PURPLE route was once every 20 minutes, then cut back to every 30 minutes, now reduced to a really useless hourly service.

The full BLUE service usually runs every 12.

During the rail replacement fortnight, the PURPLE hourly tram service is replaced by a bus every 15 minutes; but the bus is also a cover for the BLUE trams.

It fills the gap between the two continuing bits of the BLUE. trams, one running from Malin Bridge to the railway station ...

... with frequency reduced to every 15. The Gleadless to Halfway section is also every 15.

Is there a replacement bus timetable?

Of course there is!

Note that the green shading highlights connection FROM Malin Bridge and TO Halfway. 

Unusually, times are given for every stop, very continental!

In each case there is a five minute connection time, This, combined with slower bus turning times, will make a cross city journey at least 15 minutes slower than a through tram.

Painfully tedious, but very necessary to ensure track is well maintained.

Tomorrow we explore the buses that are operating this essential replacement service. Readers may remember the appearance, in the past, of a couple of bendibuses, one red, one sky blue filling in for withdrawn trams.

Will these be climbing the hill once again through the Norfolk Park estate ...

... like wot buses did when fbb was a lad and Norfolk Park still had tower blocks?

 Meanwhile, in Leeds ...

The company operates tendered services in Leeds and Doncaster, of which more anon.

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As well as seemingly to provoke antagonism, Jesus tells parables (ostensibly simple stories with a challenging message) that are "full of surprises" - and how!

The other five had not taken a refill of oil for their ...

LAMPS

... so when their evening accompiament duty serving the bridegroom, were required, they were not ready, could not join the procession and were shut out of the wedding feast.

History tells us that the authorities of the day were not ready for the Jesus message but the parable is a more far-reaching challenge.

Everyone who heard this story would know that it was about being ready, not for the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, but for the return of Jesus at the end of time.

But being ready for the ultimate is all part of what Easter is about.

Really!

One woman was keen to make sure Jesus was ready for his self-provoked death and burial!

Ready with what?

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  Next tran replacement blog : Thurs 2nd Apr