http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/south_west_wales/travel_news/service_updates/?item=11251&conf=0
Council cuts in Carmarthenshire bus services
Council cuts in Carmarthenshire bus services
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)
- Thread starter Ivo
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Was it one of the newer batch?
I didn't mention Eclipses, but I've only seen Enviro 400s on the route. Mainly the ex-Plymouth range (33411-33419).
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Was responding to Class 33 and his mention of Geminis.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Oh apologies, as you quoted my comment I thought you were replying to me. Sorry for any confusion!
The only services I tend to see the Weston batch of Eclipses working are the W1 and the 121.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
No worries
I tend to see the two 59 plates on the W1, with the others shared around. Whilst they tend to be on the 7 in Weston, they do appear on the 121, the X5 and the 126 occasionally!To be honest, the Weston ones (other than on the W1) could probably be substituted by Darts and the Eclipses sent to Bath.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
No worries
To be honest, the Weston ones (other than on the W1) could probably be substituted by Darts and the Eclipses sent to Bath.
Indeed. Yeah same actually, with 69459 and 69460.
Had a journey on the 81 today for the first time too
although it terminated at Parkway, then returned to Kingswood? I thought it went through to Yate, or is this only the 82?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
That's a pretty brutal cut to the 103. At the same time, the WG are providing more money for the rail line but that doesn't kick in (with more services) until next Spring
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Indeed. Yeah same actually, with 69459 and 69460.
Had a journey on the 81 today for the first time too
Only every other one continues through to Yate. Take it the one you had left Kingswood at **:30 - the ones on the hour run through the whole route
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Ah I see. It possibly could have been the 1030 from Kingswood. I had the 1105 from Parkway back to Kingswood.
Further observations in Bristol from today included a ride on 32282 on the 319, as well as seeing 32283 and 32285 on the route too, so looks as if the 319 is slowly starting to become fully double deck. 42907 was also working too. Certainly no step-entrance Darts on the route any more!
And the most exciting part of today: my firsy journey on the X7!!!! Caught 32685 on the slightly delayed 1825 Cribbs to Centre departure. However, as soon as it left Cribbs and was waiting at the lights by Asda, we briefly broke down! Luckily it was only a brief fail and soon enough we got going again. I had a further shock however when we took to the M5, the M4 AND the M32! At one point I thought I was going to end up in Birmingham! I had no idea it went on the motorway even to Bristol. I thought it followed the old X14 way through Westbury but running limited stop. A great route which I will certainly use again!
Also saw 32001 on the X5, thus proving that point earlier about how it's not just Enviro 400s on that route!
Last edited:
Private Baxter
Established Member
- Joined
- 22 Sep 2013
- Messages
- 1,804
Double deckers on 319 - probably won't last. Uni holidays, meaning only two are needed on 15, leaving three spare.
Class 33
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 2,362
Yep it was mentioned on here a few months back about the route the X7 takes. If after I finish work and I'm heading into town I try and get the X7 at xx:10 if I can. It's a nice fast non-stop route, unlike other services which don't go the direct route and stopping enroute at bus stops umpteen times. And relaxing too, as usually there are no more than a few other passengers on it from Cribbs Causeway to the bus station(at least on the top deck anyway). I remember one journey on it took just 19 minutes to the bus station!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Tend to agree with you. The 319 is one of those cinderella services that gets whatever is spare. 46259 was on it last week!!
Think there are a couple of decker boards on there for schools. On an unrelated point, saw a Gemini on the 36 yesterday about 2/3 full, heading towards Stockwood from Knowle. I'd suggest that Stockwood School is the reason why you get a decker on a couple of the 36s.
Don't forget both BEC and St Brendan's are on the route too which generates a fair amount of custom.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Shame, double deckers are far more suited to such a long route! It does get quite busy too.
I must have missed that post about the route it takes. Surprisingly there was still quite a few going into Bristol. There was about ten of us on the top deck I'd say. Quite a few got off at Cribbs Causeway too so must have been busy. According to the display on the bus stop, it is scheduled to take 25 minutes to get to the bus station, whereas the 309 takes only 21! So 19 minutes is REALLY quick. I can't really see how the 309 can be that quick when it goes down Gloucester Road; to me it seems as if it takes the same time as say the 75 or the 76, just maybe running express to Gloucester Road instead of via Filton and Southmead/Henbury respectively. However I wouldn't aim for the 309 personally as I prefer the double deckers.
You're absolutely right there! The route varies from Tridents, Geminis, step-entrance Darts, Volvos, Marshalls and the occassional Streetlite! A real mix, and size too! Some consistency should occur really. If Bath seem so adament at bringing out any old bugger on it, then I say one of the Park and Ride Enviro 400s should make an appearance on it!
TheGrandWazoo said:
This is my argument with the 70 (sorry to bring this up again!). The 36 is mainly Volvo operated, mainly with the 482xx range buses working it, with the occasional Gemini appearing. This could happen with the 70. Have it mainly Eclipse operated, with the odd Gemini in between.
THarris123
Established Member
Hi,
Can someone look at the attached and comment on please? It's a suggestion I'm planning to put to First about how a new service is needed for Bristol - Whitchurch - this will then make Bristol - Whitchurch, Bath - Midsomer Norton and Wells - Street (and vice versa) every 15 minutes. I haven't included any peak adjustments, just a basic timetable. I've also included a couple of other ideas to suit expected demand over the next few years (i.e. demand in Clutton is going to increase due to a housing project being put in place - expecting more people to travel to Bath)
Let me know your thoughts and questions!
Can someone look at the attached and comment on please? It's a suggestion I'm planning to put to First about how a new service is needed for Bristol - Whitchurch - this will then make Bristol - Whitchurch, Bath - Midsomer Norton and Wells - Street (and vice versa) every 15 minutes. I haven't included any peak adjustments, just a basic timetable. I've also included a couple of other ideas to suit expected demand over the next few years (i.e. demand in Clutton is going to increase due to a housing project being put in place - expecting more people to travel to Bath)
Let me know your thoughts and questions!
freetoview33
Established Member
I think it is good, I think there will need a service like the new 378 service you have suggested.
THarris123
Established Member
What do you think of the other ideas (i.e. 171 and 172)?
overthewater
Established Member
- Joined
- 16 Apr 2012
- Messages
- 9,171
Any news on the Cornwall tenders?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I think the simplest place to start is why? Given that the Chew Valley is very affluent, and that bus services (such as the 672) are currently tendered, then why put this in? Same goes for the 171/2 if not more so. Not seeing a great clamour for people to travel to Bristol by bus so why to Bath?
If the idea is to provide a 15 min service along the A37 from Bristol to Clutton/Temple Cloud, then basically doubling the 379 to half hourly would make more sense as it would also serve the big development in Paulton.
However, in reality, given that the 379 needed support from the developer and loadings a bit thin, doubling it would probably just dilute the existing traffic.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just the usual rumours that WGL have gained some work round Callington but in truth, nothing much has been placed "out there".
Yes I agree with having service 378 along the wells road and it be great for people who live in chew magna and visitors/tourists go to chew lake from bristol or wells. Yes I like to see a new 378 to wells
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Yes I agree with having service 378 along the wells road and it be great for people who live in chew magna and visitors/tourists go to chew lake from bristol or wells. Yes I like to see a new 378 to wells
It won't happen. The good people of Chew Magna don't use the 672 in great numbers, or tourists use it to head to Chew Lake? In fact, and correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't the 672 dropped from a two car working with Eurotaxis to a single vehicle because of lack of passengers?
If either First or BaNES have money to burn, I'd sooner see better Sunday services from Bath to Norton Radstock - every 45 mins is the sort of headway you'd see in NBC times. Every 30 mins would make so much more sense.
Last edited:
matt_splat
Member
- Joined
- 19 May 2012
- Messages
- 899
the 379 needs to be marketed better I think in years to come the 178 will drop down to every 2 hours beyond Norton.
you talk about a 378 ABUS already run a daily 67 service alone a similar route.
for a long time now I have wondered if the 672 could be changed to run Bristol - Bristol Airport via the chew valley turning at the airport to run back to Bristol with a few changes to the route it could work the other idea I have had for a long time now would be this
121 / 672 - withdraw both then create a service 120 and 121.
121 will run via the current route out of Bristol but then run via Dundry then along the wells road before turning right and heading to winsford and Bristol airport then picking up the current 121 route.
120 would run Bristol to Bristol Airport via the A38 before turning and running back down the A38 and heading into Winsford into Chew Magna It would head out of Chew Magna towards Stowey then it joins the A368 and heads along to Bishop Sutton then around the lakes to chew stoke before heading back to West Harptree then it would turn right and follow the A368 all the way to Weston.
This would create a hourly link up with Weston from some places along the route, create a better link to Bristol and also Bristol Airport from the Chew Valley area also Banwell and Locking areas would gain a service ever 30 mins into Weston
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
if they wanted to make the Bath to Norton ever 30 Mins on a Sunday I would recommend a adding a 379 on a Sunday which could run ever 1 hour 30 mins tied in with the 177/178 so along with the 173 a nice spread across the day
you talk about a 378 ABUS already run a daily 67 service alone a similar route.
for a long time now I have wondered if the 672 could be changed to run Bristol - Bristol Airport via the chew valley turning at the airport to run back to Bristol with a few changes to the route it could work the other idea I have had for a long time now would be this
121 / 672 - withdraw both then create a service 120 and 121.
121 will run via the current route out of Bristol but then run via Dundry then along the wells road before turning right and heading to winsford and Bristol airport then picking up the current 121 route.
120 would run Bristol to Bristol Airport via the A38 before turning and running back down the A38 and heading into Winsford into Chew Magna It would head out of Chew Magna towards Stowey then it joins the A368 and heads along to Bishop Sutton then around the lakes to chew stoke before heading back to West Harptree then it would turn right and follow the A368 all the way to Weston.
This would create a hourly link up with Weston from some places along the route, create a better link to Bristol and also Bristol Airport from the Chew Valley area also Banwell and Locking areas would gain a service ever 30 mins into Weston
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
if they wanted to make the Bath to Norton ever 30 Mins on a Sunday I would recommend a adding a 379 on a Sunday which could run ever 1 hour 30 mins tied in with the 177/178 so along with the 173 a nice spread across the day
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
The 67 runs once a day, carries a few pensioners and is built around schools.
Not really certain why there is a belief that there is some untapped market in the Chew Valley. The 672 established that there isn't really. It's perhaps one of the most affluent areas around Bristol. More importantly, it won't happen. Local authorities have got little enough to spend on existing services.
Private Baxter
Established Member
- Joined
- 22 Sep 2013
- Messages
- 1,804
Not sure about 178 dropping to every two hours, but that could potentially happen I suppose. Think I've suggested this before, but one way of marketing the 379 would be to renumber it and show passengers it is part of the 178 network. Continuing what has already been happening in Bristol 178 could become 78, whilst 379 becomes X78.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
That's a good suggestion, as at present it looks as if the 376 and 379 are part of the same network.
Whilst on that topic, I think the 90 should be renumbered 52, so that it looks as if it is part of the 50/51. The 75 and 76 are grouped together, and so is the 50 and 51, but the 90, despite running via Inns Court as opposed to Knowle, just looks isolated.
Last edited:
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Now that is one renumbering that does make sense.
And likewise, I'm not certain if dropping the 178 to two hourly if really advisable
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'd sooner just see the 173 as it is with short 178s fitting in to make it a 30 min headway. Then the 177 operated as a stand alone service by MH depot
By the way, the idea of running along from Chew Lake through Ubley to Blagdon and thence Churchill - have you driven that road?
ValleyLines142
Established Member
The 7 is the Worle to Oldmixon route isn't it? Didn't know any deckers appeared on the local Weston routes! Thought it was only the X1/W1 and the 112 that had doubles on it!
Also, on the subject of the 112, what tends to be the main stock for this now? I remember seeing 33418 on it on a journey last summer (and 32685, before it got transferred for the X7!).
freetoview33
Established Member
The 112 was axed remember so nothing is on it now!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I wouldn't say axed. The 112 was incorporated into the 21 service. Initially, it was reflecting the frequencies of the two services so every 20 mins from Taunton to Burnham (30 on Sats) and projected once per hour to Weston. The latest changes reflect the higher loadings in Summer around the camps at Brean and Berrow, and so is now 30 min freq throughout the route.
In terms of rolling stock, the four Weston Olympians 34188-91 transferred with the former 112 boards although I know that at least one of these is now in Cornwall.
Instead, three Trident/Presidents displaced from Barnstaple and latterly in Plymouth (32872-4) arrived and have been painted in green for the 21. However, with the changes and need to have deckers, a number of rather tired similar Presidents have come down from Glasgow and are being painted for the 21. The Eclipses on there (66350-6) are thereby displaced but don't know where to? Apparently, they're rather fuel hungry.
As for a decker on the 7, I'd suspect it had a problem and was therefore "kept local"
matt_splat
Member
- Joined
- 19 May 2012
- Messages
- 899
there was at least one step decker and several B7s on the 21 on Saturday.
of real interest was the park and ride bus parked at the back of taunton bus station not sure if it saw normal service work on Saturday or not.
one newly painted decker X961 HLT died on its way back from Plymouth the driver is a friend of mine on facebook and he picked it up today.
Also in reply to the Chew Valley, drive the roads every day and regularly see some of the coaches and lorries that navigate those roads and also I know the regular driver of the 672 very well who since he's been driving it has seen passenger numbers pick up and one of the main comments he hears is people moaning about the way the timetable is set up.
as for the 178 it could well happen it was briefly mentioned in a customer panel meeting trips beyond Norton really aren't profitable.
I personally would number the 379 - 176 ties it in with the Bath - Norton routes but also ties it nicely in with the 376 as well.
it would seem webberbus have plans for the spare busses they now have.
PH1035360/53 - WEBBERBUS LTD, UNIT 8C, BEECH BUSINESS PARK, BRISTOL ROAD, BRIDGWATER, TA6 4FF
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Bridgewater, Bristol Road
Finish Point: Wells Bus Station
Via: Westbury, Sandford
Service Number: 26
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 23-JUN-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday, hourly.
5. PH1035360/54 - WEBBERBUS LTD, UNIT 8C, BEECH BUSINESS PARK, BRISTOL ROAD, BRIDGWATER, TA6 4FF
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Wellington, Tonedale
Finish Point: Taunton, Castle Way
Via: Heatherton Park, Somerset College
Service Number: 12
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 23-JUN-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday, hourly.
of real interest was the park and ride bus parked at the back of taunton bus station not sure if it saw normal service work on Saturday or not.
one newly painted decker X961 HLT died on its way back from Plymouth the driver is a friend of mine on facebook and he picked it up today.
Also in reply to the Chew Valley, drive the roads every day and regularly see some of the coaches and lorries that navigate those roads and also I know the regular driver of the 672 very well who since he's been driving it has seen passenger numbers pick up and one of the main comments he hears is people moaning about the way the timetable is set up.
as for the 178 it could well happen it was briefly mentioned in a customer panel meeting trips beyond Norton really aren't profitable.
I personally would number the 379 - 176 ties it in with the Bath - Norton routes but also ties it nicely in with the 376 as well.
it would seem webberbus have plans for the spare busses they now have.
PH1035360/53 - WEBBERBUS LTD, UNIT 8C, BEECH BUSINESS PARK, BRISTOL ROAD, BRIDGWATER, TA6 4FF
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Bridgewater, Bristol Road
Finish Point: Wells Bus Station
Via: Westbury, Sandford
Service Number: 26
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 23-JUN-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday, hourly.
5. PH1035360/54 - WEBBERBUS LTD, UNIT 8C, BEECH BUSINESS PARK, BRISTOL ROAD, BRIDGWATER, TA6 4FF
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Wellington, Tonedale
Finish Point: Taunton, Castle Way
Via: Heatherton Park, Somerset College
Service Number: 12
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 23-JUN-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday, hourly.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Oh I had no idea the 112 was 'partly' axed!