First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)

[Class 33]

What is the URL for the section of the VOSA website which gives(or will give) details of the upcoming Bristol bus changes? Am eagerly awaiting the news. Though we'll probably have to wait another 3 to 4 weeks yet for the VOSA preview of the changes.

Overheard someone on the bus this morning saying the 76 may soon be running via Monks Park Way into Southmead Hospital. Would be surprised if this turned out to be true. If so, that would add about another 4 minutes onto the allready long "round the houses" route between Centre and Henbury and Cribbs Causeway! And if so, I think they should bring back the 77 again with it's faster route(straight up Pen Park Road) to Henbury(and I guess maybe onto Cribbs Causeway). And have the 76 terminate at Southmead Charlton Road. The old 77 route between Henbury Crow Lane lay-by and Centre used to have a journey time of about 31 minutes. The journey now on the 76 takes between 41 minutes off peak and 50 minutes(if not a little longer if traffic is bad) during peak times!

People living in Henbury now only have the service 1 as the fast direct route into town. Whereas some years ago, there was the 1, 77, and half hourly X65/X66(via the Portway). All with journey times of about 30 minutes.

 

[freetoview33]

https://www.gov.uk/notices-and-proceedings-for-the-west-of-england

There you go.

And the 1 is fastest but still equally the 40 and 76 still have very good loadings, so I don't think there is a major problem, I'd rather have a longer 76 every 10 mins than a quicker 77 every 20.
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Looks like all the Taunton services have now been reregistered under First Devon & Cornwall rather than First Somerset & Avon.

 

[matt_splat]

I do wonder if the September changes chould see the 309/310/311 being tweeked maybe the 77 / 78 and 79 to bring them into line with the other services running via the Gloucester Road?

maybe Taunton to Exeter could be making a return for BOS?

 

[Class 33]

https://www.gov.uk/notices-and-proceedings-for-the-west-of-england

There you go.

And the 1 is fastest but still equally the 40 and 76 still have very good loadings, so I don't think there is a major problem, I'd rather have a longer 76 every 10 mins than a quicker 77 every 20.
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Looks like all the Taunton services have now been reregistered under First Devon & Cornwall rather than First Somerset & Avon.

Thanks for the link. Will just have to wait a little longer for the VOSA preview of the changes to be posted!

Interesting though that you'd rather have a 76 every 10 minutes on this longer route, rather than a 77 every 20 minutes but with a journey time of 10-15 minutes faster. What about a compromise, of a 77 every 15 minutes? Or what would you think, if the 76 was to become even more of a longer journey by diverting into Southmead Hospital?

Used to love the old X65 and X66 services to travel between Henbury and town. Those lovely old Leyland Olympians, and limited stop running via the Portway!(non-stop from Shirehampton to Hotwells)

 

[freetoview33]

I wonder how much if any of the bos changes will be like what I suggested!

Ultimately once Southmead is completed the 76 won't be any longer by diverting through the hospital.

I would like to see a X65, X66 or a new and improved 57.

From Henbury to Shirehampton like the 18 then to Portway Park & Ride then down the portway to Hotwells and town then all the way along Wells road to Stockwood. Every half hour. Not sure on the exact time a route like that would take or even if it could or would work.

On that topic hopefully the 501/502 will be changed to serve Portway Park & Ride.

 

[Class 33]

Ultimately once Southmead is completed the 76 won't be any longer by diverting through the hospital.

Can you clarify what you mean by that?

 

[Private Baxter]

https://www.gov.uk/notices-and-proceedings-for-the-west-of-england


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Looks like all the Taunton services have now been reregistered under First Devon & Cornwall rather than First Somerset & Avon.

First D&C legals are fianlly starting to appear on BoS buses.

Would be interesting to see the changes in Bristol. With all the recent changes for MH, can't imagine anything major could happen, but like someone suggested 309/310 could change. They're slightly out of place now.

Changing the subject, where are buses re painted? Are they done at their respective depots (excluding Wells) or do they all go to Lawrence Hill?

 

[freetoview33]

When there are 2 main bus stops and 2 layover stops and when buses can enter at the Southmead Entrance and go direct to the main entrance/main bus stops then can carry on and exit via the Dorian Road entrance. This may mean a few stops would no longer be served along Southmead Road or Monks Park, but it is more than likely that most buses will be routed this way after October 2015.

Even the 75 could be diverted in the end.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hi all

Had another trip out today and went armed with my Avon Rider, and was determined to get my money's worth though I did need to be back to collect my car from service.

Anyway, headed off and caught my first vehicle which was a First Streetlite 63077 on the 38 from Bath's Upper Bristol Road to Keynsham. The lady driver was very nice but hadn't heard of the Avon Rider. A joint effort and she found it in the ticket machine menu and duly issued it. Off at Keynsham, and a quick leap onto the A4 Airbus of RATP with a dual door Volvo B7/ALX400 (A503) which was very nice though the one table upstairs seemed a bit odd. Still, a cheery driver accepted the ticket straight away and off we headed with the A4 providing a handy link to south Bristol. Strange that First never bothered with trying the Bath to Airport link?

Got off at Hengrove, and immediately onto the 76 (as opposed the 75 that I've enjoyed recently) and one of the ex London Geminis 32341 that was refurbished without the e-Leather. A busy old journey and we were fairly full by the time we passed through Bemmie. Off at the Centre and a run up to Clifton Village as I had my camera and wanted to take some photos in the sun of the suspension bridge. 47463 took me up and the day's third Streetlite (47461) brought me back to the triangle.

Now, I'm very much an adopted ex Bristolian, and lived out in the east of the conurbation for a good few years, yet didn't seem to explore west of the A37 and the northern bit of the A38. Hence a trip out to Shirehampton on the 40 which was solid B7/ALX400 (whilst the 41 seemed to be the B10BLEs that 3 weeks ago were all over the 81) on a non-refurbed 32016. This took me through places that I hadn't seen for years, and not really knew that well.

Lunch taken at Shire, and a leap onto yet another Streetlite. This was one of Wessex's SK63KOA (with regs close to the First ones) and, to be fair, was well driven and was a non-eventful trip on the 502 through El Dub to Southmead Hospital. I've not been impressed with Wessex but this was a well piloted machine and the seats were comfortable and it ran to time.

Changed at the Brunel building which is a chaotic situation with 4 buses attempting to access one stop outside the building. Not very clever. Caught the 18 at 1309 to UWE with refurbed 42899 that, I'd forgotten about, had the First logo on the e-Leather seats unlike subsequent examples. At UWE, I ignored all the various Wessex options and instead chose the 312 operated by Severnside Transport. The driver initially refused the First ticket until he realised it was an Avon Rider, and we bounced off through Frenchay Village (which I confess I'd never been through) and off to Downend. To be honest, there's not many Solos in Bristol so it was quite nice, and despite it being only 10 mins, I did enjoy the trip as Frenchay was a bit of a pleasant surprise. Another uneventful short hop on 42905 on the 319 to Kingswood (much shoddier than 42899) and after a coffee in Kingswood, caught the 44 down Hanham Road with Gemini 37353 to Hanham.

Then it was into the time machine as I caught the late running 17 (which should've been in front of the 44) and was yet another mid-life Dart with 42949 that then wriggled through all of Longwell Green and then zoomed out to Keynsham. Another swift change and onto my second 38 Streetlite back to Bath on 63074.

Got to Bath bus station and then saw the Somerbus oddball that is Merc OC500/MCV AE11BDF. I think this is still unique in the UK and I have to say that it's a shame as it was the best vehicle I travelled on all day. I was enjoying it and have to say it was well appointed, well maintained and absolutely superb. Great bus, well driven. However, the contrast couldn't have been more pointed with my 14 back to town, which was First e200 44919 which was banging and clattering and shaking. Hard to believe it's only 5 years old.

Back into the bus station and then a trip to the Lower Bristol Road to collect my car, with a full standing load. For the second time recently, my final bus was an ex York B6 with 40588 grinding through the traffic that was gridlocked owing to a house fire. All in all, quite a varied day - would certainly recommend trying an Avon Rider to anyone
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I do wonder if the September changes chould see the 309/310/311 being tweeked maybe the 77 / 78 and 79 to bring them into line with the other services running via the Gloucester Road?

maybe Taunton to Exeter could be making a return for BOS?

I think that the Thornbury corridor may well get a makeover. As I said before, I do wonder about the long term future of the 319 as well - will it get split in some way?

As for BoS, it might be that the 29 gets upped to hourly (though it didn't pay before). However, I did notice that the Bridgwater town services seemed to be attracting a number of passengers to WB so wonder if they might increase the B1 or even go back to different services to serve different parts of Sydenham?

 

[Colly405]

Can you clarify what you mean by that?

There will be a second stop at the Brunel entrance, layover space and a direct route from the Brunel roundabout down the hill to Southmead Rd.

But, I really don't think that they should consider putting anything else into the Brunel stop until that extra work is done - so please no rerouting of the 76 in September. Worth noting that even the 24 goes through the grounds but doesn't use the Brunel stop...

The problem with any diversions is the stops that get omitted - the current issue is over the stops outside Lidl on Southmead Rd, which are heavily used (remembering that there used to be stops just around the corner on the 77...).
They already have no 501/502 due to some cock-up somewhere - those routes miss the stops out until 23/6, even though BCC thought they didn't and put up timings. From 23/6 get on a 501/502 there and then go up Monks park Ave, into the hospital, to the Brunel stop, back up to the Monks Pk gate, and down Monks Pk Ave back to the Lidl roundabouts...
Those stops also show the 82 times, which uses the Monks Park hospital entrance so doesn't stop there....

All made worse as there are no stops by that junction on Monks Park Ave or the northern bit of Southmead Rd - just outside lidl. First stop on the 82 after it leaves the Brunel stop is BAWA...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Have to say that the situation at Southmead yesterday was confusing even for a seasoned traveller like me. Whilst waiting for the 18 @ Brunel, I saw the 24 and wondered where it was going!

Might be an idea to segregate the inter site shuttles from regular bus services too?

 

[bnm]

A major revision of fares for First West of England services from 6th July 2014:

http://www.twcrp.org.uk/woe_bus_prices.pdf

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=19231&conf=0

 

[Colly405]

Have to say that the situation at Southmead yesterday was confusing even for a seasoned traveller like me. Whilst waiting for the 18 @ Brunel, I saw the 24 and wondered where it was going!

Might be an idea to segregate the inter site shuttles from regular bus services too?

When the Brunel stop opened, the two (identical) timetable display cases both had a clear statement that the 24 does not stop there, and advising to catch it either on Monks Park Ave (outside the hospital gates) or Dorian Way (inside the hospital). I noticed the other day that the timetable cases have been re-printed, and that advice is no longer there, the 24 just isn't mentioned. So many prospective bus passengers will watch as the 24 heads towards the stops then swings left, just a few feet away from them!
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In other news, the 82 is to be extended to Chipping Sodbury. I wonder whether it is just the subsidised journeys being extended, or whether First will extend the commercial ones too?

Announcement from council includes other services "saved" as well...

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Counci...rvices-South/story-21226976-detail/story.html

 

[freetoview33]

Good News about the 82

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Even more interesting - fares being revised elsewhere

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-27808535

 

[ClevedonYellow]

Got some interesting observation on my way back from Temple Meads this afternoon. Saw 47437 on the A1 from Bristol Airport to the Bus Station.

When did buses on the 8/9 begin to talk to you? 47439 was this afternoon.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Got some interesting observation on my way back from Temple Meads this afternoon. Saw 47437 on the A1 from Bristol Airport to the Bus Station.

When did buses on the 8/9 begin to talk to you? 47439 was this afternoon.

Didn't experience that on my jaunt yesterday. There's a few routes in the north east where I've had the next stop annoucements but does any route in the south west?

 

[ClevedonYellow]

Didn't experience that on my jaunt yesterday. There's a few routes in the north east where I've had the next stop annoucements but does any route in the south west?

Not sure but First BSA want to get most of the buses in Bristol to talk. The 1 a week or 2 ago with a screen put in.

 

[South Westerly]

Now confirmed that Webberbus staff are in Romania this week trying to find themselves some new drivers. No wind up this really is true!!!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Now confirmed that Webberbus staff are in Romania this week trying to find themselves some new drivers. No wind up this really is true!!!

I was thinking the other day with the BoS recruitment. Did any of the P&R drivers transfer from WB to BoS? If not, how are BoS covering those duties? If so, you can see why WB need drivers for their extra services.

Be interesting to see if BoS are just going to target WB or perhaps some innovative moves?

 

[South Westerly]

I was thinking the other day with the BoS recruitment. Did any of the P&R drivers transfer from WB to BoS? If not, how are BoS covering those duties? If so, you can see why WB need drivers for their extra services.

Be interesting to see if BoS are just going to target WB or perhaps some innovative moves?

Mass exodus taking place from WB to BoS according to WB drivers

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Mass exodus taking place from WB to BoS according to WB drivers

That's interesting. One wonders if WB will have the drivers to operate what they have, let alone new routes. You might wonder if BoS are deliberately timing this to seriously undermine WB? Given the impotence of First in the past, the fare reductions on BoS and on the Street to Wells corridor, and the increase of frequencies on Wellington and Street areas, they are playing hardball.

Add the loss of SCC funding for 670 and 106, and the P&R loss. It's a much tougher life for WB. One wonders what else BoS will come up with

More detail on fares review here - sadly day ticket is going up to £10 though

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=19231&conf=0

 

[South Westerly]

That's interesting. One wonders if WB will have the drivers to operate what they have, let alone new routes. You might wonder if BoS are deliberately timing this to seriously undermine WB? Given the impotence of First in the past, the fare reductions on BoS and on the Street to Wells corridor, and the increase of frequencies on Wellington and Street areas, they are playing hardball.

Add the loss of SCC funding for 670 and 106, and the P&R loss. It's a much tougher life for WB. One wonders what else BoS will come up with

More detail on fares review here - sadly day ticket is going up to £10 though

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=19231&conf=0

I would guess the timing is more likely a reaction to WB registering more competitive services. There isn't really a better time for BOS to react is there. Makes you wonder why WB have never seen this coming. If I'd lost the Park and Ride I'd have concentrated on running the remaining commercial routes properly, not stretching even further. Looks like WB may have got too big for their own boots this time?

 

[matt_splat]

there is no changes to the 319 so i'm told

I missed the customer panel meeting in bath last night apparently only changes due for Bath are to the 265 in September and some Wiltshire town busses I would expect this is all to do with the A36 road closure that's expected to happen in September.

apparently some devon and cornwall staff did a stint on the park and rides in taunton when they first took the routes over.
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also the streetwright ending in 37 has spent the past two days on the A1

expect changes to the 178 in October.
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and bath are due 7 new busses with s reg darts being replaced by more B6's and B7's

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks for the 319 info. Thought its retention of 3** number might be an indication but no. The 178 - is that a dropping of the route past Paulton to two hourly, as you suggested before? Apart from that, not many route changes. Does look like Faresaver noticeably have the upper hand on 234 now, with 231 and 267 probably 50/50. I guess First have enough battles (with Webberbus and Wessex) not to want to open another front, as well as being happy to keep Faresaver out of Bath. Talking of which, they had an ex Premiere Eclipse on 267 (but on a MAN chassis so is that an Eclipse?)

Where are the B7s coming from (B7RLEs??) and B6s. Hope to god they're not W reg ones from Hengrove; they're rather tired!

Did we hear any more about the York B7RLE that was in Bristol a few weeks ago?

 

[Private Baxter]

Thanks for info. Shame Bath are only getting seven new buses now. Guess the other eight were needed in Hengrove more. Will they be used on 178/379 perhaps? Still, good to see the S UAKs going! Had one yesterday, god it was awful. If B6s replace them, wonder what the new stuff will replace.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks for info. Shame Bath are only getting seven new buses now. Guess the other eight were needed in Hengrove more. Will they be used on 178/379 perhaps? Still, good to see the S UAKs going! Had one yesterday, god it was awful. If B6s replace them, wonder what the new stuff will replace.

Depends on whether the other Streetlites go to HE. I did wonder whether they might go to MH for the X2/X3? Don't know if 178/379 will get them; didn't Matt say that Whiteway might get them?

I know the SPDs are awful but I can only hope the B6s aren't from HE. They've been worked hard!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Enviro 200 44920 is on the 319 today, working the 1115 Cribbs to Bath. Tiny little bus!

 

[Private Baxter]

Depends on whether the other Streetlites go to HE. I did wonder whether they might go to MH for the X2/X3? Don't know if 178/379 will get them; didn't Matt say that Whiteway might get them?

I know the SPDs are awful but I can only hope the B6s aren't from HE. They've been worked hard!

Guess we can only wait and see. One might hope that the B6s/B7s would be something slightly newer, like those recently arrived in Taunton.

If it is only seven coming to Bath, maybe it won't be 178/379. Perhpas youre right, maybe the 5 will benefit the most from this investment.

 

[freetoview33]

First seem to be telling late running drivers to miss stops ect. How are they allowed to do this?