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

[Martin1988]

Thanks to those who responded to my earlier post about the vehicles used on the 1. It is always really interesting to hear this sort of thing.

For anyone interested in old(ish) bus pictures, have a look at this article. I am rather surprised that they couldn't find a newer picture to accompany it.

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

 

[ValleyLines142]

I went on the 1 yesterday, courtesy of 37332!

 

[Private Baxter]

Surprised to see double deckers still on the 15 (in Bath), when there is just a hand full of passengers using the services. This time last year they were using darts. Think those deckers could be put to better use elsewhere, such as 319 or X39.

 

[matt_splat]

last night WX57HLZ did the 10:00 39 From Bristol to Bath last night it was quite busy I then was supprised to pass it at about 02:15 this morning as I was heading to work in Brislington Heading to Bath with about 5 people on board

 

[ryson357]

PH0004983/473 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Gateway Park and Ride and Silks Mill Park and Ride given service number PR1 effective from 18-Jun-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/474 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Weston-super-Mare and Bridgewater given service number 102 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/479 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare given service number 21 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/489 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Taunton Bus Station and Wells Bus Station given service number 29 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/491 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Taunton Bus Station and Yeovil Bus Station given service number 54 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

PH0004983/494 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Taunton
Finish Point: Creech Heathfield
Via: Ruishton, Creech St Michael
Service Number: 26
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 27-JUL-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday

Some registrations from vosa of 'buses of Somerset' and New service 26 to compete Webberbus Service 27.

 

[swifty]

Surprised to see double deckers still on the 15 (in Bath), when there is just a hand full of passengers using the services. This time last year they were using darts. Think those deckers could be put to better use elsewhere, such as 319 or X39.

One of the ALX400s had escaped onto the 37 this morning, it was much better than the Eclipse from the day before which gave a worse ride than the Marshall Dart I sampled on the 17!

 

[Private Baxter]

I saw that too! In theory three should be spare now, but I think it would be better if all were distributed on other services, leaving the 15 in the hands of darts, or even solos. Extra deckers would free up other single decks for other services.

I suppose some of the bendies have left for Cornall now, though i haven't seen those two Eden Project liveried ones for a looong time.

 

[South Westerly]

I saw that too! In theory three should be spare now, but I think it would be better if all were distributed on other services, leaving the 15 in the hands of darts, or even solos. Extra deckers would free up other single decks for other services.

I suppose some of the bendies have left for Cornall now, though i haven't seen those two Eden Project liveried ones for a looong time.

First Kernow are now entirely self sufficient for bendis. They have three Citaros transferred from First Glasgow and two bought from Go South Coast, with a spare one due later from go South Coast.

 

[Private Baxter]

PH0004983/473 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Gateway Park and Ride and Silks Mill Park and Ride given service number PR1 effective from 18-Jun-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/474 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Weston-super-Mare and Bridgewater given service number 102 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/479 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare given service number 21 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/489 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Taunton Bus Station and Wells Bus Station given service number 29 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/491 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Taunton Bus Station and Yeovil Bus Station given service number 54 effective from 27-Jul-2014. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

PH0004983/494 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Taunton
Finish Point: Creech Heathfield
Via: Ruishton, Creech St Michael
Service Number: 26
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 27-JUL-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday

Some registrations from vosa of 'buses of Somerset' and New service 26 to compete Webberbus Service 27.

Good to see BoS really on the ball here. Does this mean they have won the P&R contract permanently?? Also wonder what changes are in store for the 29...?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Good to see BoS really on the ball here. Does this mean they have won the P&R contract permanently?? Also wonder what changes are in store for the 29...?

I was wondering about the P&R too????

Matt Splatt suggested a doubling of the 29 though that would make it every 45 mins. More likely that it'll be hourly.

 

[freetoview33]

Hourly would make sense. Although it might work out like it did on the 309 when they uped it to 15 mins just to get the Wessex 3 out of the way then put it back to half hourly and moved onto the X46 and X49. Just to try and get Webber out of the way!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hourly would make sense. Although it might work out like it did on the 309 when they uped it to 15 mins just to get the Wessex 3 out of the way then put it back to half hourly and moved onto the X46 and X49. Just to try and get Webber out of the way!

Well, the 29 might a fair competitive tool. Another hourly service from Wells to Street plus trying to mop up the Taunton traffic to compete with the WB38 with the 29 being slightly quicker.

Sorry if I start to sound like a broken record, but I left Trowbridge yesterday and followed 42908 on the 234 to Frome. Two passengers on it all the way - wonder if First will ever look to fight back against Faresaver as on the 234, they're getting hammered. That said, Faresaver seem a bit smarter than Webberbus....

 

[ryson357]

New Sunday Service on X5 and X6 from September

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/New-Su...ol-announced/story-21295769-detail/story.html

 

[freetoview33]

That is good news! And more services for Blagdon. Although this new attitude works, with councils funding the service to kick start it. With the aim of them becoming commercially viable. Rather than long term tenders.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That is good news! And more services for Blagdon. Although this new attitude works, with councils funding the service to kick start it. With the aim of them becoming commercially viable. Rather than long term tenders.

True, though this isn't new. There were the DfT Kickstart schemes of which the 1 Culm Valley Connect and 55 Swindon to Chippenham have been the most successful in the South West. However, there have been some local schemes from more enlightened councils such as Wilts with the 49 and Wilts/Oxon with the 66. Note how Stagecoach have been the firm who have also been central to this!

Kickstart was a good scheme in general though because it was a Labour government policy, it was dropped in favour of Better Bus Areas.

 

[ClevedonYellow]

New Sunday Service on X5 and X6 from September

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/New-Su...ol-announced/story-21295769-detail/story.html

About time. It is a pain getting to work on sundays and Bank Holidays from Clevedon. I have been asking First bus for this for 4-5 years now. Hopefully it will be possible to get to Bristol for 09:00 on a sunday now

 

[Private Baxter]

Well, the 29 might a fair competitive tool. Another hourly service from Wells to Street plus trying to mop up the Taunton traffic to compete with the WB38 with the 29 being slightly quicker.

I suppose the 29 could revert to hourly, and I suppose there is more demand for Taunton then there is for Bridgwater, although that would make five buses an hour between Wells and Street (and six every other hour). But I would support an hourly Taunton service. Perhaps they should pass the Windmill Hill section over to one of the Wells services....
Otherwise the 375 could pass to BoS and terminate in Street leaving Wells to focus soley on X75, now it's main service to Bridgwater. Although if Monday's figures are anything to go by, not really that well used.
Hypothetically if that were to happen, so that no one loses work, Weston should regain 102 and Wells takde 126 again.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Otherwise the 375 could pass to BoS and terminate in Street leaving Wells to focus soley on X75, now it's main service to Bridgwater. Although if Monday's figures are anything to go by, not really that well used.
Hypothetically if that were to happen, so that no one loses work, Weston should regain 102 and Wells takde 126 again.

Don't know if there's much point in moving the 375 to BoS @ Bridgwater. The first and last buses are built around the College runs so you'll end up with dead mileage and, of course, you'll have the X75 still run by "proper" First.

Not surprised the 375 was quiet. From an hourly service, you've now got 2 to 3 an hour.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In other news....57000 has reappeared. Passed it climbing Bloomfield Rise on the 14 just after 1700 yesterday

 

[Private Baxter]

Don't know if there's much point in moving the 375 to BoS @ Bridgwater. The first and last buses are built around the College runs so you'll end up with dead mileage and, of course, you'll have the X75 still run by "proper" First.

Not surprised the 375 was quiet. From an hourly service, you've now got 2 to 3 an hour.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In other news....57000 has reappeared. Passed it climbing Bloomfield Rise on the 14 just after 1700 yesterday

You're probably right, Wells do a good Bridgwater service anyway. There just isn't demand for so many buses an hour for a town like Bridgwater. But again, that's partly down to WB. If the 29 was to go hourly then I would lit to see the Windmill Hill section dropped and passed to 375, which would then be operated by darts. (In time I think stuff like the 05/06 reg ones at BH and MH would be really suitable of both 375 and X75).

In other news I saw another ex TN B7 working on 173 yesterday, 66353. Not sure if this has actually gone to WM and working at Wells to cover for one of their B7s or it's moved to WS as a permanent transfer. If so I'm not sure what it has replaced.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

You're probably right, Wells do a good Bridgwater service anyway. There just isn't demand for so many buses an hour for a town like Bridgwater. But again, that's partly down to WB. If the 29 was to go hourly then I would lit to see the Windmill Hill section dropped and passed to 375, which would then be operated by darts. (In time I think stuff like the 05/06 reg ones at BH and MH would be really suitable of both 375 and X75).

In other news I saw another ex TN B7 working on 173 yesterday, 66353. Not sure if this has actually gone to WM and working at Wells to cover for one of their B7s or it's moved to WS as a permanent transfer. If so I'm not sure what it has replaced.

The 2005 Darts do need to move from stuff like the 178/379 so hopefully they might find a way to WS for the Yeovil and Bridgwater runs.

Btw 66353 was one of the BR B7Ls; just seen 40588 in Chippenham. Have any B6LEs appeared at TN/BR yet?

 

[Private Baxter]

Nope. B6s are all still in Bath, so don't know when they'll be moving. I hope the B6s and B7s get a proper refurb inside and out, but unfortunaely I doubt that will happen for the time being.

Will be interesting to see what happens when Bath's new streetlites arrive later this year.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Nope. B6s are all still in Bath, so don't know when they'll be moving. I hope the B6s and B7s get a proper refurb inside and out, but unfortunaely I doubt that will happen for the time being.

Will be interesting to see what happens when Bath's new streetlites arrive later this year.

I agree that they do need a refurb but don't know if they'll get one. They're 12+ yrs old but they are desperate!

Depends who's getting what with the Streetlites. If BH is only getting seven (for the 5?) then where are the others going? I'd like to see the X2/X3 get them and cascade the Darts from there to a rebranded Express Yourself to Fornbree!

 

[windnoise69]

When are the new Streetlights heading into bath & Bristol?

 

[matt_splat]

now if the MV02s are turning up in wells they could be a perfect replacement to the B10s if they have a bit of work done to them

 

[Private Baxter]

now if the MV02s are turning up in wells they could be a perfect replacement to the B10s if they have a bit of work done to them

Just what I was about to mention! They are starting to appear now, the one that arrived in Bath a week ago is now at Wells, and seen on the 173 today, as is anpother 66535. Meanwhile 66535 is working the 5 in Bath today.

With regards to Wells, i can only assume they are replacing the B10s, although actually the B10s look a lot better! Not yet sure what will happen but I wasn't expecting them to go to Wells! How many roughly are expected to leave BoS?

 

[freetoview33]

This is me thinking out loud a moment. Would there be any demand for the following/would it be better than what is?

77 Bus Station - Cribbs - Thornbury (as 309)
78 Bus Station - Parkway - Thornbury (Taking over the 312)

X11 Bus Station - Thornbury - Dursley (At peak non stop to Aztec West) maybe replacing the 224, 310 and 311

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

This is me thinking out loud a moment. Would there be any demand for the following/would it be better than what is?

77 Bus Station - Cribbs - Thornbury (as 309)
78 Bus Station - Parkway - Thornbury (Taking over the 312)

X11 Bus Station - Thornbury - Dursley (At peak non stop to Aztec West) maybe replacing the 224, 310 and 311

224 goes a completely different route....doesn't go via Thornbury nor Wotton
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Just what I was about to mention! They are starting to appear now, the one that arrived in Bath a week ago is now at Wells, and seen on the 173 today, as is anpother 66535. Meanwhile 66535 is working the 5 in Bath today.

With regards to Wells, i can only assume they are replacing the B10s, although actually the B10s look a lot better! Not yet sure what will happen but I wasn't expecting them to go to Wells! How many roughly are expected to leave BoS?

Take it that's 66353? The batch is seven (66350-6 @ BR) which was to swap with 40588-94 before 40589 torched itself. There were 10 others at TN of which 8 are supposed to go to Plymouth - 60912 is already there.

Just seen 66935 in Salisbury proclaiming to operate the X5 to Warminster!! This a loan from WM?

 

[Private Baxter]

224 goes a completely different route....doesn't go via Thornbury nor Wotton
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Take it that's 66353? The batch is seven (66350-6 @ BR) which was to swap with 40588-94 before 40589 torched itself. There were 10 others at TN of which 8 are supposed to go to Plymouth - 60912 is already there.

Just seen 66935 in Salisbury proclaiming to operate the X5 to Warminster!! This a loan from WM?

Haha, sorry, complete muddle up! 66356 arrived in Bath a week ago and is now in Wells. 66353 is also in Wells, whilst 66355 is in Bath working on the 5 today. There might be a bit of moving around over the next couple of weeks I would have thought.

That's interesting about 66935. Saw it in Bristol the other day on 121. Not sure why it's in Bath, but could be a loan like you say. Or maybe they are all coming to Bath to strengthen the B7 fleet?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Haha, sorry, complete muddle up! 66356 arrived in Bath a week ago and is now in Wells. 66353 is also in Wells, whilst 66355 is in Bath working on the 5 today. There might be a bit of moving around over the next couple of weeks I would have thought.

That's interesting about 66935. Saw it in Bristol the other day on 121. Not sure why it's in Bath, but could be a loan like you say. Or maybe they are all coming to Bath to strengthen the B7 fleet?

Sending some B7Ls to WS to replace the B10BLEs....ok but it is still 7 for 7 between BoS and FSA so something still needs to come in to ultimately replace the B10BLEs

Typing this from onboard 66731 from Wilton to Warminster!!

 

[Private Baxter]

I agree that they do need a refurb but don't know if they'll get one. They're 12+ yrs old but they are desperate!

Depends who's getting what with the Streetlites. If BH is only getting seven (for the 5?) then where are the others going? I'd like to see the X2/X3 get them and cascade the Darts from there to a rebranded Express Yourself to Fornbree!

Originally it was supposed to be 15 new buses headed for Bath, but like you say, most likely only seven now, and perhaps the 5 is a good bet.

As for the others, there was speculation that they would go to Hengrove to replace the recently arrived old rubbish, such as those marshal darts. But who knows. Would certainly be happy to see them go to MH for X2/3 sending the darts elsewhere. Even to Wells for 375/X75 like we discussed earlier. But that's getting slightly ahead of ourselves, not to mention into very unlikely territory!