Warwickshire bus routes U1, U2, U12 and U17
Unibus is branding used for four different bus routes, connecting the University of Warwick in the south of Coventry, with Leamington Spa and Sydenham, primarily for students living within Leamington and Sydenham commuting to the University, but they can also be used by members of the public and commuters between Kenilworth, Leamington and the University. There are four different variations on the standard route of bypassing the town of Kenilworth on the A46. They are all operated by Stagecoach in Warwickshire under the Unibus branding. However at times of peak vehicle demand, it is occasionally the case that buses from the Stagecoach in Warwickshire fleet with the conventional Stagecoach livery May Be used.
Operation
- U1 - Monday to Saturday, Sunday Evenings
- U2 - Saturday daytime and Monday to Friday Outside of term time
- U12 - Monday to Friday - Towards University Only - Morning Journeys Only
- U17 - Sunday Daytime Only - Most Journeys Extend to Coventry
History
The routes began, numbered as X12 and X14, still operated by Stagecoach in Warwickshire, between 2000 and 2003, the X12 provided an express link between Leamington and the University via the A46 road, and the X14 via Kenilworth. They provided links between Leamington and the University up to every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, and every 30 minutes in the evenings, most evening journeys were extended to Coventry however. In 2003, all journeys were numbered X12, with most morning journeys running via the A46 for the benefit of the students, and The Primary evening services operating via Kenilworth for shoppers and workers. In 2005 however the service was renumbered U1 and rebranded under the Unibus branding. Service U2 was also established to run Saturdays, Sundays and outside of term time every 30minutes via Kenilworth. It continued to provide a connection between Sydenham, Leamington Spa and the University of Warwick up to every 10 minutes Monday to Friday. The U1/U2 arrangement continued, with only the Sunday service being extended to Coventry. However in January 2010, the services were altered again, with two new services introduced to complement the U1 and U2, these being the U12 (as it mirrors National Express Coventry service 12 as far as the University), for peak time journeys between Leamington and the University, in that direction only, operating via Kenilworth, providing more buses per hour between Leamington Spa and Kenilworth. The Sunday U2 service which extended to Coventry had its route altered to serve Leyes Lane in Kenilworth, and to be numbered U17, as this route alteration mirrored service X17, which only operates Monday to Saturday.
Service arrangement
During the Monday to Friday daytime period services U1 operates a frequency of every 10 minutes via the A46. Service U12 only operates at peak times and runs via Kenilworth, avoiding the detour that occurs on the U2 and U17 services via Albion Street/Leyes Lane in Kenilworth. On Saturdays there is a U2 service every 30minutes alongside the U1. Whilst on Sundays the U17 service operates, however it terminates at Coventry rather than the University every 30 minutes. This is due to the normal Monday to Saturday services between Leamington Spa and Coventry not operating on Sundays. A number of extra services are provided for the University during University term time only, these are in addition to the typical 10 minute frequency.
See also
- List of bus routes in the West Midlands county
Route
From Sydenham to University (and Sunday to Coventry)
- U1 - Prospect Road, Gainsborough Drive, Radford Road, High Street, Bath Street, The Parade, Clarendon Avenue, Kenilworth Road, A46 Kenilworth Bypass, Stoneleigh Road, Gibbet Hill Road, University Road.
- U2 - Prospect Road, Gainsborough Drive, Radford Road, High Street, Bath Street, The Parade, Clarendon Avenue, Kenilworth Road, Leamington Road, Warwick Road, Abbey End, Abbey Fields, Albion Street, Stoneleigh Road, Mill End, Dalehouse Lane, Common Lane, Coventry Road, Kenilworth Road, Gibbet Hill Road, University Road.
- U12 - Prospect Road, Gainsborough Drive, Radford Road, High Street, Bath Street, The Parade, Clarendon Avenue, Kenilworth Road, Leamington Road, Warwick Road, Abbey End, Abbey Fields, Bridge Street, New Street, Coventry Road, Crackley Hill, Coventry Road, Kenilworth Road, Gibbet Hill Road, University Road.
- U17 - Prospect Road, Gainsborough Drive, Radford Road, High Street, Bath Street, The Parade, Clarendon Avenue, Kenilworth Road, Leamington Road, Warwick Road, Abbey End, Abbey Fields, Albion Street, Park Hill, Leyes Lane, Rawnsley Drive, Hidcote Road, Knowle Hill, Dalehouse Lane, Common Lane, Coventry Road, Kenilworth Road, Gibbet Hill Road, University Road, Gibbet Hill Road, Kirby Corner Road, Sir Henry Parkes Road, Charter Avenue (Towards Leamington), Fletchamstead Highway, Kenilworth Road, Warwick Road, Greyfriars Road, Queen Victoria Road, Corporation Street, Hales Street, Trinity Street.
- Outbound U17 from Coventry city centre: Trinity Street, Broadgate, High Street, Little Park Street, New Union Street