Surrey County Council have decided to consult and cut services again to save money. That's the bluntest way to put it. The changes went through on the 29th August 2015, which also meant that the last day of these lot coincided with a large change down in Bracknell.
Abellio Surrey changes are the main changes to be covered due to the limited time to cover them. The full changes can be found on
Route 590: Staines-Stanwell Moor - Bear Buses and Abellio Surrey journeys withdrawn.
Abellio Surrey 8773 on Route 590, Staines Bus Station (© Aubrey)
This route was part of the replacement of the 441 at Stanwell Moor when it was diverted away from the village. It will be replaced by the 446 extension to Heathrow Terminal 5 (which is ironically via where the 441 used to go between Staines and Heathrow).
Route 451: Staines-Brooklands - withdrawn.
Abellio Surrey 8108 on Route 451, Brooklands Retail Park (© Aubrey)
This route is being replaced partly by a Route 514 extension, thus reducing the complete service level to every 2 hours from every 30 minutes. The new 514 is so complicated, I can't even understand the timetable!
Abellio Surrey 8001 on Route 451, Chertsey Sainsbury's (© Aubrey)
The route, formerly known as Route 51, used to run all the way to Heathrow Terminal 5 before being retracted to Staines. It has also changed operator from First to Abellio before. The Brooklands part is replaced by the 436 as well as the 514, which does mean that Weybridge-Staines can really only be done by train.
Route 459: Kingston-Woking - withdrawn
Abellio Surrey 8445 on Route 459, Addlestone Tesco (© Aubrey)
Replaced as well by the extensively confusing 514. The alternative services include the 458, 514, 461, 556, 557 and 592. Yeah...
A South West Trains 455/8 passes Abellio Surrey 8445 on Route 459, Kingston (© Aubrey)
This does affect quite a few passengers as a regular service is replaced by yet another confusing service. It also means there is no more direct bus from Kingston to Woking anymore. Passengers that I had spoken to had been basically told to walk to their nearest bus stop, even though it isn't the best option for them.
Route 438: Staines-Shepperton via Royal Estate - withdrawn Royal Estate-Shepperton
Abellio Surrey 8108 on Route 451 & 8090 on Route 438, Staines Bus Station (CC Aubrey)
The route also has a reduced frequency in order to interwork with the 566/567. Although it is replaced by a 438 frequency increase. Some section of Worple Road however will force people to walk to their bus stop.
Abellio Surrey 8090 on Route 438, Shepperton Station (© Aubrey)
Route 515A: Kingston-Guildford via Hampton Court - withdrawn
Abellio Surrey 8004 on Route 515A, Kingston (© Aubrey)
Route 557: Heathrow Terminal 5-Woking Station - withdrawn Sunbury Tesco-Heathrow
Abellio Surrey 8004 on Route 557, Ashford Hospital (© Aubrey)
Replaced by Route 446 which has been extended from Staines via the 441 route and Stanwell Moor to Heathrow Terminal 5. The 557 (and new 556) will also swap routes with the 446 between Addlestone and Woking (albeit 556 will run via West Byfleet and 557 will run via Woodham).
Route 514: Extended in something complicated to Weybridge/Brooklands
Abellio Surrey 8066 on Route 514, Kingston (© Aubrey)
The route is replaced within London by Route 965 at Lovelace Gardens (which has been increased to run thrice a week now!).
The route is extended from Hersham via Walton to Weybridge. Then it runs alternate directions in a loop including Weybridge Station, Byfleet Village, Brooklands Retail Park and Byfleet & New Haw Station.
Other changes to Abellio services include the extension of Route 555 to Hersham and a re-routing of Route 458.
Other operators:
Metrobus Route 540: Woldingham-Redhill - withdrawn
Metrobus 379 on Route 540, Redhill Bus Station (CC Aubrey)
Replaced by Route 357 rerouted, certain journeys on Route 409 and a Caterham-Woldingham Buses 4U service.
Metrobus Route 526/527: Crawley-Gatwick circular - partly withdrawn, renumbered.
Metrobus 6535 on Route 526, Horley (© Aubrey)
The route, renumbered to Route 26, is being curtailed at Horley and will only run via Ifield and Charlwood. It is replaced by Route 424 being rerouted, even though it breaks some links to Gatwick Airport (which were lost by withdrawal anyway due to roadworks).
Other changes include Routes (Southdown) 357, (Metrobus) 409, (Southdown) 424 being rerouted, Metrobus Route 22 having no Saturday service, some journeys being withdrawn on Woking-area services, Arriva Route 437 being extended to Weybridge from West Byfleet, Arriva Route 34/35 timetable being redrafted and Arriva Route 35 not serving Hermitage Estate.
Overall, a clear set of mind to cut costs that seems to be a trend across a lot of the bus industry, especially outside London. It will affect many people across Surrey, although it does give a few some new links. Thanks, economy(!).
