As we start the new year there is a slight glimmer of improvement in the services on our local railways. However, it fair to say that the final three months of 2023 were not a good time for passengers and there were a number of service issues, causes including train crew resource, weather incidents and autumn leaf fall, to mention but a few. Of course, we also had a number of days lost to industrial action. Whilst most of the unions have either settled their dispute or are engaged in meaningful talks, it was disappointing to learn that we will again see industrial action at the end of January.
It is clear that the rail industry does need to evolve and better fulfil the needs of the travelling public. Quite simply, work patterns and lifestyle have changed following the covid pandemic. The accepted norm of commuting to work Monday to Friday has been challenged and, for some, home working has provided a viable option. Prior to covid, video conferencing was virtually unheard of, but now fully embraced, alleviating long-distance journeys for meetings. However, we must remember that there are those who have no option but to travel for employment or education and we must ensure that they still have viable public transport opportunities.
Whilst commuting has generally decreased, this has been more than compensated by leisure travel on the weekends and evenings. Indeed, the visitors are a benefit to the local economy. The public expect a 7-day railway and yet it seems slightly bizarre in this day and age that the train operators are still dependent on voluntary rest day working and we still have a reduced Sunday timetable.
Naturally, the Friends are primarily concerned with the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line. We monitor the services on a daily basis and have regular meetings with the train operator in order to seek improvements in performance and timetable. Whilst it might be difficult to justify more than the 8 full-line trains we currently receive, we would like to see these spaced to nearer a 2-hour clock-face timetable enhanced to suit to commuting times. Critically, trains need to stop at all stations to alleviate the 4-hour gaps which occur at some locations.
Meanwhile, there remains scope for the railway to be used by a regular long-distance operator and we believe that a service between the East Midlands and Scotland would make eminent sense and has gained support from various quarters. Thus, the railway might regain its original purpose, as a fast main line.
As many will know, the Friends are also passionate about bus services and have provided financial support to a number of services in the past. We work closely with our DalesBus colleagues and would like to see increased connectivity between bus and rail. However, the challenges are immense. Neither the Yorkshire Dales National Park nor North Yorkshire Council currently see funding of services into the Dales as being a priority, as a consequence of which, there is an over-reliance on the private car.
Meanwhile, the volunteer DalesBus management team face the dilemma of increased operator costs and limited funding opportunities. However, priorities, remain improved services into Malham, which is over-burdened with parked cars, a Sunday 581 to Kirkby Lonsdale and reinstating the route from Settle to Clitheroe via Slaidburn amongst other services. It remains to be seen what can be achieved for this year. We can but hope.
It was, however, welcome news that the government-supported £2 fare cap has now been further extended until the end of December 2024. As we emerged from the covid pandemic bus ridership was low and this was seen as a way of encouraging passengers back onto public transport from the private car, particularly in urban areas. Of course, the initiative benefits those areas which already have services whilst, for many rural communities, bus services are a distant memory. Fortunately, Settle is still relatively well connected in contrast to similar-sized Sedbergh which recently lost its weekday bus service.
There is no better time get out and use the local bus services, perhaps in conjunction with the train. The 580/581/582 still provides the regular Monday-Saturday connection to Skipton, Kirkby Lonsdale and Lancaster whilst the No. 11 provides a useful Monday-Saturday service to Horton and Tosside. These services all call at the Market Place, Settle.
Further up the line, the Western Dales Bus provides the Saturday S1 connection from Dent Station to Sedbergh and Kendal. From Garsdale Station, the Little White Bus provides a Monday-Saturday connection to Hawes. From Kirkby Stephen station, the Saturday Stagecoach 563 runs to Penrith and connects with the 08:50 northbound train from Settle. For details of all these services please see www.dalesbus.org.
I should also remind you that the Dales Railcard winter offer runs until 24th March, providing 50% off a normal day-time fare for destinations including Leeds, Carlisle and Morecambe plus stations in between. This is definitely worth having, offering a one third discount for the remainder of the year, and can be purchased from Settle or Skipton ticket offices or online via the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Co with proof of local residency.
Please do get out and use the bus and rail services and for assistance on any local transport matter please feel free to contact john.carey@settle-carlisle.com.
By John Carey
Photo Credit: Mark Rand
