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

[TheGrandWazoo]

That's more like it! Stickers on windows are one of my biggest bugbears. Thankfully First seem to have moved on from the mid to late 2000s craze of covering windows with external adverts. The worst was the B7 in Bath which had an all over sticker on one side advertising a car dealer! So annoying your customers and tempting them to buy cars - genius!

That was 66943. It was particularly bad but for donkey's years, bus companies have shot themselves in the foot by advertising car dealers.

 

[ValleyLines142]

10 minutes? Literally? More like 20 mins at the very least! X74 takes longer than that.

It only takes 25 minutes to get from Chepstow to Newport anyway, so is Chepstow to Magor really only FIVE minutes by your account?

And to be fair the X74 goes through Caldicot too. The X14 didn't.

Fact is that you witnessed the 1545 bus empty at Chepstow. There isn't the trade; end to end trade is sparse as you witnessed because of the competing rail service. Instead, it is more Chepstow to Cribbs, or Chepstow to Newport, or Magor to Bristol (lots of different flows). And as you mention, even the X74 and 73 don't have journeys later because the demand isn't there.

Possibly but that was only my experience for one day. A whole bus timetable can't exactly be planned on my personal experiences. In the past it could have been very busy!

 

[Private Baxter]

Yeah I know. I noticed it today as well. Bit annoying! Thought that had finally gone.

I think 69440 (one of the 59 plate Eclipses) has gone - is this being refurbished/repainted?? This was the one that had a car, van and lorry imbedded into the engine at Hallatrow last year. I know it was being repaired for quite sometime and it might still be damaged. Any ideas anyone?
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In other news, does anyone know anymore details of what's happening to BoS changes in July?

Crikey, I'd forgotten all about that! I think it must have returned some time ago although I hadn't really been paying special attention. If it hadn't then we'd frequently be seeing 54/55 reg B7s filling in from Weston, which we haven't for a while. Plus I think Wells are pretty short as it is. But perhaps it coukd be in the paint shop? Nothing from Wells has been painted yet, and would be nice to see one of these done.

The first of Bath's 03 reg double deckers has been painted, seen today on the 15, complete with West of England labels and Bath depot tag, unike the B7s which have not yet been completed. I had hoped these double deckers would be next in the schedule bringing them to the same standard as the 53 reg ones, although leather seating and LED lighting would also be needed and I can't see that happening.

 

[freetoview33]

Carrying on with my Thornbury ideas, I am fully expanding the ideas fully and working out a timetable ect!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It only takes 25 minutes to get from Chepstow to Newport anyway, so is Chepstow to Magor really only FIVE minutes by your account?

And to be fair the X74 goes through Caldicot too. The X14 didn't.



Possibly but that was only my experience for one day. A whole bus timetable can't exactly be planned on my personal experiences. In the past it could have been very busy!

When I said at least 20 mins, I'd factored in that a) It's 10 miles from Magor to Newport - so that's 60 mph you'd have to average to do it in 10 mins b) I'd looked at the X74 from Magor to Newport (Also, isn't Caldicot between Magor and Chepstow?) and c) From Magor to Newport will take at least 5 mins just to get to the M4

Also, who said the Chepstow to Newport less Magor to Newport = Chepstow to Magor???? As Sam Cooke said "don't know much trigonometry"

Your events only serve to back up what actually happens. End to end traffic suffers as the train service is fast (40 mins) and so the advantage the bus has is in those sections where the train doesn't have that speed advantage, hence Magor to Bristol or Chep to Cribbs.
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Crikey, I'd forgotten all about that! I think it must have returned some time ago although I hadn't really been paying special attention. If it hadn't then we'd frequently be seeing 54/55 reg B7s filling in from Weston, which we haven't for a while. Plus I think Wells are pretty short as it is. But perhaps it coukd be in the paint shop? Nothing from Wells has been painted yet, and would be nice to see one of these done.

The first of Bath's 03 reg double deckers has been painted, seen today on the 15, complete with West of England labels and Bath depot tag, unike the B7s which have not yet been completed. I had hoped these double deckers would be next in the schedule bringing them to the same standard as the 53 reg ones, although leather seating and LED lighting would also be needed and I can't see that happening.

Those B7TLs at Bath are looking rather tatty. Perhaps eLeather could be fitted as per the Bristol ones. Matt S says the repainted Eclipses are to receive eLeather eventually and it's done locally, not at LH

According to Steve White, 66353/5/6 are BH and were on loan to WS for Glastonbury requirements whilst 40590/2 are now at Taunton. 40590 was the one I had on the 179 recently and passengers shouldn't be given a ticket but pile cream; the seats are unforgiving!

 

[ValleyLines142]

When I said at least 20 mins, I'd factored in that a) It's 10 miles from Magor to Newport - so that's 60 mph you'd have to average to do it in 10 mins b) I'd looked at the X74 from Magor to Newport (Also, isn't Caldicot between Magor and Chepstow?) and c) From Magor to Newport will take at least 5 mins just to get to the M4

Ah I see.

Caldicot is indeed between Newport and Chepstow but the X7 goes straight along the M48, completely by-passing Caldicot.

Your events only serve to back up what actually happens. End to end traffic suffers as the train service is fast (40 mins) and so the advantage the bus has is in those sections where the train doesn't have that speed advantage, hence Magor to Bristol or Chep to Cribbs.

The train is indeed considerably quicker (although there are regular delays!) but it costs £8.05 for a day return with a Senior Railcard, otherwise £11.80. If you can go for free on the bus, without time constrictions, that price you would have spent on the train goes towards dinner or something else nice

Regardless of these factors I don't see why that particular journey can't be extended to Newport (the 1715 from Bristol I'm referring to now). That's peak time out of Bristol too so I think there'd be a lot more people. It can't be that much of a burden on infrastructure can it?!

According to Steve White, 66353/5/6 are BH and were on loan to WS for Glastonbury requirements whilst 40590/2 are now at Taunton. 40590 was the one I had on the 179 recently and passengers shouldn't be given a ticket but pile cream; the seats are unforgiving!

Which one caught fire in Kingswood last week?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ah I see.

Caldicot is indeed between Newport and Chepstow but the X7 goes straight along the M48, completely by-passing Caldicot.



The train is indeed considerably quicker (although there are regular delays!) but it costs £8.05 for a day return with a Senior Railcard, otherwise £11.80. If you can go for free on the bus, without time constrictions, that price you would have spent on the train goes towards dinner or something else nice

Regardless of these factors I don't see why that particular journey can't be extended to Newport (the 1715 from Bristol I'm referring to now). That's peak time out of Bristol too so I think there'd be a lot more people. It can't be that much of a burden on infrastructure can it?!



Which one caught fire in Kingswood last week?

First have the information and clearly don't think the trade is there. It's not a case of the infrastructure but of demand. If you're relying on the day tripper then a journey that arrives into Newport at nearly 7pm is actually rather late.

If the 1545 isn't carrying that many then I don't see how the 1715 will and it being at peak isn't the point; end to end traffic is largely the preserve of the train because of the time advantage and there isn't a corresponding morning journey either. Those journeys that serve Magor also serve Caldicot.

The torched B6 was 40589. Reports that Dart 40835 had burnt were a misreport which is a shame as it's a pup!

 

[ValleyLines142]

First have the information and clearly don't think the trade is there. It's not a case of the infrastructure but of demand. If you're relying on the day tripper then a journey that arrives into Newport at nearly 7pm is actually rather late.

That unfortunately is the nature of the X7 though. It takes an hour and twenty minutes to get from Newport to Bristol.

If the 1545 isn't carrying that many then I don't see how the 1715 will and it being at peak isn't the point; end to end traffic is largely the preserve of the train because of the time advantage and there isn't a corresponding morning journey either. Those journeys that serve Magor also serve Caldicot.

To be fair though the first X7 is at 0815 from Nepwort which isn't bad. I still think it would be handy if the 1715 went through to Newport too. The issue I had on Monday was that I wanted a trip on the X1 to Weston, but I couldn't as the last direct X7 from Bristol was the 1545 so I would have missed it. I wouldn't have minded changing buses in Chepstow if I left later (by catching either the 1715 or the 1800) but even the X74 doesn't connect very well either. Seems silly really as I'd paid £5.90 for that ticket but to get home I'd have to have paid £7.25 for a single on the train. I may as well have just paid the £8.05 return on the train full stop.

The torched B6 was 40589. Reports that Dart 40835 had burnt were a misreport which is a shame as it's a pup!

Ah right. Thanks!

 

[THarris123]

Hi 66356 is also still at Wells. Had it home today on 17.45 Yeo - Wells 377
Cheers, Mike Russell [henairs]

That makes sense now. The driver the other day said one had gone back to Bath, I assume he meant that both 66356 and 66353 had gone back, along with another (don't ask why!)

I'm pleased that one is still in Wells, as I do like those buses.
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Crikey, I'd forgotten all about that! I think it must have returned some time ago although I hadn't really been paying special attention. If it hadn't then we'd frequently be seeing 54/55 reg B7s filling in from Weston, which we haven't for a while. Plus I think Wells are pretty short as it is. But perhaps it coukd be in the paint shop? Nothing from Wells has been painted yet, and would be nice to see one of these done.

The first of Bath's 03 reg double deckers has been painted, seen today on the 15, complete with West of England labels and Bath depot tag, unike the B7s which have not yet been completed. I had hoped these double deckers would be next in the schedule bringing them to the same standard as the 53 reg ones, although leather seating and LED lighting would also be needed and I can't see that happening.

I've been thinking exactly the same thing. I suspect that 69440 could be the first to go into the paint shop - it's missed out on a couple of minor updates (no leaflet holder, the notice boards are still the old crappy pieces of plastic). This is probably the worst out of all of them.

The suspension also appears to be rather bad on the 59 plates recently - I was on 69444 yesterday and every time it would stop, you would hear a lovely creaking noise! 69439 used to be the worst for that - not a moment would go by without a creaking noise!
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It's on the other Webberbus thread but in summary....

An additional 8 on the PVR shown in brackets
29 increased to hourly (1)
26 BoS registering an hourly commercial service to Creech St Michael in place of WB's tendered 27 (1)
21 gets half hourly shorts to make it every 15 mins from Taunton to Bridgwater (4)
54 gets hourly shorts to make it half hourly from Taunton to Somerton (2)

Timing changes to 28 to make it more competitive. Also, X28 Taunton station to Minehead Butlins on Mon/Fri to make it easier on 28

Think that's it??

Hooray! Taunton has finally been sorted!

I'm so pleased 29 is hourly. It makes a lot of sense. I can't remember where the buses pass (I think it's a very narrow road), but if one of them is late, there could be a likely incident.

Surely they'll need more buses for this? Streetlites?

 

[South Westerly]

Hooray! Taunton has finally been sorted!

I'm so pleased 29 is hourly. It makes a lot of sense. I can't remember where the buses pass (I think it's a very narrow road), but if one of them is late, there could be a likely incident.

Surely they'll need more buses for this? Streetlites?

It's an increase of 7 PVR. The 26 is not a replacement for the 27 but directly competing, but using existing PVR. Also the 54s are also all extended back to Musgrove Park Hospital. The X28 deals with the fact that Webberbus have put their new half of the 28 past Taunton Station and extended all journeys to Butlins.

They had ten extra buses, which were 5 Tridents and 5 B7RLEs, so have enough. The B7s are now being swapped with Plymouth and Bath for B6s, plus the first one of three more Alexander Tridents has arrived. This gives them enough buses already and let's them get rid of some older buses in the fleet.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It's an increase of 7 PVR. The 26 is not a replacement for the 27 but directly competing, but using existing PVR. Also the 54s are also all extended back to Musgrove Park Hospital. The X28 deals with the fact that Webberbus have put their new half of the 28 past Taunton Station and extended all journeys to Butlins.

They had ten extra buses, which were 5 Tridents and 5 B7RLEs, so have enough. The B7s are now being swapped with Plymouth and Bath for B6s, plus the first one of three more Alexander Tridents has arrived. This gives them enough buses already and let's them get rid of some older buses in the fleet.

Sorry that's bad grammar from me. 26 is running against the 27 with an expectation that the tender will be withdrawn. That said, I take BoS are only running off peak? Thought I'd seen the new PVR was +8 so thanks for clarifying. The 29 going hourly does feel better; never like odd non clock face frequencies though how it will perform, we shall see.

As for the fleet, I had seen on here that additional Tridents were coming from FDC but looks like they're coming from Glasgow as per the one spotted en route at Worcester (W-ULL). The only Streetlites I think you'll see will be if BoS win the P&R on a permanent basis. Aren't there more B7RLEs due (2/3) to fully cover the 28?
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That unfortunately is the nature of the X7 though. It takes an hour and twenty minutes to get from Newport to Bristol.



To be fair though the first X7 is at 0815 from Nepwort which isn't bad. I still think it would be handy if the 1715 went through to Newport too. The issue I had on Monday was that I wanted a trip on the X1 to Weston, but I couldn't as the last direct X7 from Bristol was the 1545 so I would have missed it. I wouldn't have minded changing buses in Chepstow if I left later (by catching either the 1715 or the 1800) but even the X74 doesn't connect very well either. Seems silly really as I'd paid £5.90 for that ticket but to get home I'd have to have paid £7.25 for a single on the train. I may as well have just paid the £8.05 return on the train full stop!

Appreciate your own motives but First and Stagecoach have run it for years and sure they know what flows are where. Even you must concede your journeys were hardly typical!

 

[Private Baxter]

In Bath this morning I was lucky to spot the first of the new streetlites to have arrived - 47544 working on X39. I wasn't expecting to see it so soon so was quite surprised.

Also saw one of the 02 reg B7s heading out of Bath towards Bristol. (Possibly 66353 but couldn't quite make it out). Anyway it was out of service and VERY VERY shabby. It looked awful. Could possibly have been on its way for paining?

 

[Class 33]

For anyone interested, an Online Meet The Manager(First BRISTOL & BATH) session on Twitter this evening between 5pm and 7pm. If you've got any comments or suggestions to fire to them.

Still awaiting the VOSA preview of the First Bristol September changes! They're keeping us in suspense! Last year's preview for the September changes were posted 7 weeks before the changes date. So hopefully this time in two weeks this should be posted on the website. With a bit of luck next week.

 

[CD]

In Bath this morning I was lucky to spot the first of the new streetlites to have arrived - 47544 working on X39. I wasn't expecting to see it so soon so was quite surprised.

Also saw one of the 02 reg B7s heading out of Bath towards Bristol. (Possibly 66353 but couldn't quite make it out). Anyway it was out of service and VERY VERY shabby. It looked awful. Could possibly have been on its way for paining?

Paining is the right word for the B7Ls !!
Very hard seats and with the engine sharing the passenger saloon get very hot and stuffy.

 

[vicbury]

In Bath this morning I was lucky to spot the first of the new streetlites to have arrived - 47544 working on X39. I wasn't expecting to see it so soon so was quite surprised.

Also saw one of the 02 reg B7s heading out of Bath towards Bristol. (Possibly 66353 but couldn't quite make it out). Anyway it was out of service and VERY VERY shabby. It looked awful. Could possibly have been on its way for paining?

And a Streetlite Max is on 14. Surely it should be the other way round?!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And a Streetlite Max is on 14. Surely it should be the other way round?!

My thoughts entirely! Do we know what depots/services 44-71 will go to?

 

[Private Baxter]

Paining is the right word for the B7Ls !!
Very hard seats and with the engine sharing the passenger saloon get very hot and stuffy.

Hahaha yes indeed! Good comment, they are not the most comfortable! I did of course mean to put a T in there.

I think with all the extra deckers on the X39 atm, and the new 14 reg streetlite working it as well (running in perhaps?) I'm not surprised there were a few spare larger 13 reg streetlites knocking about. Bet that was the first time one had ever worked a 14. Interesting change though certainly!

Also forgot to mention something else has arrived in Bath (one of those recently arrived S regs in Hengrove perhaps?) Anyway some strange dart, not sure yet why it's come or what it's replaced.

 

[THarris123]

I was wrong about 69440. It is still in Wells - saw it on the 173 this afternoon and has had no repaint.

The 02 reg B7 you saw was probably 66356. 66355 was also working on the 267.

I had a fun trip today. Caught the 376 to Wells, then 161 to Frome, 267 to Bath and 379 back. The buses were 69444 (376), 43849 (161), 42903 (267) and 40535 (379). The only good bus out of this was 43849 (SN05 HEJ). It is in very good shape, but still rattles a bit. 69444 (WX59 BYW - one of the 59 plate Eclipses), as mentioned before has a bad suspension problem. 42903 (Dart) was the worst by far. DO NOT TRAVEL ON THIS BUS! Whenever it stops, it rattles like mad, I nearly ended up with a headache after being rattled so much. 40535 (one of the S reg darts) is doing OK. The inside of it is good, along with the seating (very comfy), but the performance going up the hill to Peasedown shows just how old it is. I think this could keep going for a little while yet.

Whilst on my journeys today, I spotted something very interesting. Dart 42109 was on its way to Frome from Bath with an engineering test sign. It looks like this has just arrived from Hampshire. Steve White says another S reg dart (42754) has come down to Bath as well. Why are these crappy things coming to our area?

Also, has anyone seen 46259 (the P reg Bath dart)? I haven't seen it in a while. Is this what has been replaced?

 

[swifty]

I noticed 42707/12/23 were out all day doing the rounds on the 8/9 circuit. At least one R reg has been out all week, are HE low on serviceable Streetlites at the moment, or are they on the 'wrong' routes?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I was wrong about 69440. It is still in Wells - saw it on the 173 this afternoon and has had no repaint.

The 02 reg B7 you saw was probably 66356. 66355 was also working on the 267.

I had a fun trip today. Caught the 376 to Wells, then 161 to Frome, 267 to Bath and 379 back. The buses were 69444 (376), 43849 (161), 42903 (267) and 40535 (379). The only good bus out of this was 43849 (SN05 HEJ). It is in very good shape, but still rattles a bit. 69444 (WX59 BYW - one of the 59 plate Eclipses), as mentioned before has a bad suspension problem. 42903 (Dart) was the worst by far. DO NOT TRAVEL ON THIS BUS! Whenever it stops, it rattles like mad, I nearly ended up with a headache after being rattled so much. 40535 (one of the S reg darts) is doing OK. The inside of it is good, along with the seating (very comfy), but the performance going up the hill to Peasedown shows just how old it is. I think this could keep going for a little while yet.

Whilst on my journeys today, I spotted something very interesting. Dart 42109 was on its way to Frome from Bath with an engineering test sign. It looks like this has just arrived from Hampshire. Steve White says another S reg dart (42754) has come down to Bath as well. Why are these crappy things coming to our area?

Also, has anyone seen 46259 (the P reg Bath dart)? I haven't seen it in a while. Is this what has been replaced?

I suspect that 42754 has just been displaced by new Streetlites at Hoeford and is so spare and able to cover for BHs shortages (eg 40589?). However, 42109 was parked up at Muller Road....odd!

 

[Class 33]

Two things of note from that Online Meet The Manager event tonight, after I just checked it now.

Someone moaning about why can't there be double deckers on the 309/310 on Monday-Friday peak times. Specifically in the morning leaving Thornbury, as apparantly sometimes the bus is full up by the time it leaves Thornbury High Street.

Someone moaning about the buses on the X49 being very hot with only a few windows to open(are they referring to those Eclipse things I wonder?!) First Bristol said there will be NEWER buses by the end of the year! Wonder what these buses will be?(and will they be single or double deckers?) And which other services these buses will be used on?

 

[THarris123]

I was wrong about 69440. It is still in Wells - saw it on the 173 this afternoon and has had no repaint.

The 02 reg B7 you saw was probably 66356. 66355 was also working on the 267.

I had a fun trip today. Caught the 376 to Wells, then 161 to Frome, 267 to Bath and 379 back. The buses were 69444 (376), 43849 (161), 42903 (267) and 40535 (379). The only good bus out of this was 43849 (SN05 HEJ). It is in very good shape, but still rattles a bit. 69444 (WX59 BYW - one of the 59 plate Eclipses), as mentioned before has a bad suspension problem. 42903 (Dart) was the worst by far. DO NOT TRAVEL ON THIS BUS! Whenever it stops, it rattles like mad, I nearly ended up with a headache after being rattled so much. 40535 (one of the S reg darts) is doing OK. The inside of it is good, along with the seating (very comfy), but the performance going up the hill to Peasedown shows just how old it is. I think this could keep going for a little while yet.

Whilst on my journeys today, I spotted something very interesting. Dart 42109 was on its way to Frome from Bath with an engineering test sign. It looks like this has just arrived from Hampshire. Steve White says another S reg dart (42754) has come down to Bath as well. Why are these crappy things coming to our area?

Also, has anyone seen 46259 (the P reg Bath dart)? I haven't seen it in a while. Is this what has been replaced?

Update on 46259 - Steve White has told me that it is still going. He saw it in Cribbs Causeway yesterday. Damn! That hope has now vanished!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Two things of note from that Online Meet The Manager event tonight, after I just checked it now.

Someone moaning about why can't there be double deckers on the 309/310 on Monday-Friday peak times. Specifically in the morning leaving Thornbury, as apparantly sometimes the bus is full up by the time it leaves Thornbury High Street.

Someone moaning about the buses on the X49 being very hot with only a few windows to open(are they referring to those Eclipse things I wonder?!) First Bristol said there will be NEWER buses by the end of the year! Wonder what these buses will be?(and will they be single or double deckers?) And which other services these buses will be used on?

Sorry but being thick here. That newer on the 309/10?

 

[vicbury]

I had a fun trip today. Caught the 376 to Wells, then 161 to Frome, 267 to Bath and 379 back. The buses were 69444 (376), 43849 (161), 42903 (267) and 40535 (379). The only good bus out of this was 43849 (SN05 HEJ). It is in very good shape, but still rattles a bit. 69444 (WX59 BYW - one of the 59 plate Eclipses), as mentioned before has a bad suspension problem. 42903 (Dart) was the worst by far. DO NOT TRAVEL ON THIS BUS! Whenever it stops, it rattles like mad, I nearly ended up with a headache after being rattled so much. 40535 (one of the S reg darts) is doing OK. The inside of it is good, along with the seating (very comfy), but the performance going up the hill to Peasedown shows just how old it is. I think this could keep going for a little while yet.

Also, has anyone seen 46259 (the P reg Bath dart)? I haven't seen it in a while. Is this what has been replaced?

40535 must be the one which had its seat cushions replaced a few months back. The rest of them are terrible - the frames dig in to your back halfway up your spine. I had an S-reg Dart when travelling to Westfield a couple of years ago and it travelled at approximately 10 miles per hour up Dunkerton Hill!

A shame 42903 is in a bad way at the moment, this is part of my favourite batch of Darts which has, in my opinion, the best city bus interior that First have ever specified. Having stop buttons on every grab rail, a sensible amount of grab rails (without overkill), and two areas with tip up seats makes them the most passenger-friendly buses in the fleet.

By the way, 42903 can't be worse than 44919, surely?!

Update on 46259 - Steve White has told me that it is still going. He saw it in Cribbs Causeway yesterday. Damn! That hope has now vanished!

Long may it continue, great buses these!


I was given one of the new fare booklets by a driver trainer in Bath the other day. Having had a look at it, I'm very impressed with the clarity of information and the modern look to it. First are definitely beating Stagecoach and other regional operators like Wessex or (further afield) Thamesdown at information and marketing. In particular, First's website is a doddle to use whilst Stagecoach's seems designed to make information hard to access, not simple!

The new fare structure seems to make sense as well, and I think the £2.20 flat fare for singles in Bath should encourage irregular passengers to use the bus.


Finally does anyone yet know which routes the new Streetlites are destined for? I presume they are too small for the X39 and will be used on city or quieter regional services?

 

[South Westerly]

Sorry that's bad grammar from me. 26 is running against the 27 with an expectation that the tender will be withdrawn. That said, I take BoS are only running off peak? Thought I'd seen the new PVR was +8 so thanks for clarifying. The 29 going hourly does feel better; never like odd non clock face frequencies though how it will perform, we shall see.

As for the fleet, I had seen on here that additional Tridents were coming from FDC but looks like they're coming from Glasgow as per the one spotted en route at Worcester (W-ULL). The only Streetlites I think you'll see will be if BoS win the P&R on a permanent basis. Aren't there more B7RLEs due (2/3) to fully cover the 28?
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26 has a peak journey am and pm as well as the off peak. Don't think the 27 has any tender money on it any more. The Tridents from Glasgow are instead of those from Cornwall. Yes there is a plan for another three B7RLEs. Eight Streetlites have arrived from Mistral on lease for the Park and Ride - a mixture of door forward and wheel forward, all in white.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sorry that's bad grammar from me. 26 is running against the 27 with an expectation that the tender will be withdrawn. That said, I take BoS are only running off peak? Thought I'd seen the new PVR was +8 so thanks for clarifying. The 29 going hourly does feel better; never like odd non clock face frequencies though how it will perform, we shall see.

As for the fleet, I had seen on here that additional Tridents were coming from FDC but looks like they're coming from Glasgow as per the one spotted en route at Worcester (W-ULL). The only Streetlites I think you'll see will be if BoS win the P&R on a permanent basis. Aren't there more B7RLEs due (2/3) to fully cover the 28?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

26 has a peak journey am and pm as well as the off peak. Don't think the 27 has any tender money on it any more. The Tridents from Glasgow are instead of those from Cornwall. Yes there is a plan for another three B7RLEs. Eight Streetlites have arrived from Mistral on lease for the Park and Ride - a mixture of door forward and wheel forward, all in white.

I assume those from Mistral are short term loans to enable the current ones to head to Commonwealth Games? So a rough summary of the fleet changes is....

8 B7RLEs (2004/5) in from Yorkshire and elsewhere for TN (ser 28) to displace 8 B7Ls to Plymouth that then allows 8 B6LEs to BoS for additional services

7 Tridents from Glasgow to BR for 21 to displace 7 B7Ls to Bath to release 7 B6LEs (though 40589 won't now be going) to BoS for fleet replacement such as the EL Spryte Darts

Also, the 03 Solos at BR will head to FHD whilst other Solos are targeted for early replacement? That it roughly??

Based on other postings, it was stated that the 27 was WBs last SCC route - if it isn't, that makes things easier!!
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By the way, 42903 can't be worse than 44919

Finally does anyone yet know which routes the new Streetlites are destined for? I presume they are too small for the X39 and will be used on city or quieter regional services?

Those 05 Darts are pretty ropey now especially on the open road. Lots of rattles but no, 44919 is the worst machine I've had for a while (across the UK)!

Wondering too about Streetlites. How many for Bath? Will some appear at MH?

 

[swifty]

Someone moaning about the buses on the X49 being very hot with only a few windows to open(are they referring to those Eclipse things I wonder?!) First Bristol said there will be NEWER buses by the end of the year! Wonder what these buses will be?(and will they be single or double deckers?) And which other services these buses will be used on?

IMO Baths Streetlites are a lot worse on that front, they are baking at the end of the day. When 69253 turned up in place of the usual SL the other night it was a relief, at least you could feel the breeze at the back. And yes both only have 4 opening windows.
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Also I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, the new touch card! I've see a few people using it already this week.

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/touchsmartcard/

And the opening hours of the Bristol travel shop have know been extended until 7pm Mon-Sat and now also 9-5 on Sunday.

 

[South Westerly]

I assume those from Mistral are short term loans to enable the current ones to head to Commonwealth Games? So a rough summary of the fleet changes is....

8 B7RLEs (2004/5) in from Yorkshire and elsewhere for TN (ser 28) to displace 8 B7Ls to Plymouth that then allows 8 B6LEs to BoS for additional services

7 Tridents from Glasgow to BR for 21 to displace 7 B7Ls to Bath to release 7 B6LEs (though 40589 won't now be going) to BoS for fleet replacement such as the EL Spryte Darts

Also, the 03 Solos at BR will head to FHD whilst other Solos are targeted for early replacement? That it roughly??

Based on other postings, it was stated that the 27 was WBs last SCC route - if it isn't, that makes things easier!!

Not quite! It's more complicated than that.
The Streetlites will stay for as long as the Park and Ride is operated by BoS. The ones going to the games are heading on to FHD and FSE as planned.
5 Tridents from Scotland and 5 B7RLE from Yorkshire replaced one dead ELC Dart and added 9 to fleet, of which 8 allowed the service increases to be resourced.
7 B7s swapped with 6 B6s at Bath plus something in place of the fire victim, and 7 B7 with Plymouth for 8 B6s.
3 ALX Tridents now arriving from Scotland.
That makes It the 8 for extra services plus 5 to replace the 2 Solos going to HDB, and to replace another dead ELC Dart, plus another two in due course.
Three B7s stay for the 28 until replacements come which will allow more old Darts to go.
Apparently yet more Tridents available from Scotland after the Games which could replace more long single decks. sounds like the older Solos may last a while yet.

 

[freetoview33]

IMO Baths Streetlites are a lot worse on that front, they are baking at the end of the day. When 69253 turned up in place of the usual SL the other night it was a relief, at least you could feel the breeze at the back. And yes both only have 4 opening windows.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Also I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, the new touch card! I've see a few people using it already this week.

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/touchsmartcard/

And the opening hours of the Bristol travel shop have know been extended until 7pm Mon-Sat and now also 9-5 on Sunday.

All good!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not quite! It's more complicated than that.
The Streetlites will stay for as long as the Park and Ride is operated by BoS. The ones going to the games are heading on to FHD and FSE as planned.
5 Tridents from Scotland and 5 B7RLE from Yorkshire replaced one dead ELC Dart and added 9 to fleet, of which 8 allowed the service increases to be resourced.
7 B7s swapped with 6 B6s at Bath plus something in place of the fire victim, and 7 B7 with Plymouth for 8 B6s.
3 ALX Tridents now arriving from Scotland.
That makes It the 8 for extra services plus 5 to replace the 2 Solos going to HDB, and to replace another dead ELC Dart, plus another two in due course.
Three B7s stay for the 28 until replacements come which will allow more old Darts to go.
Apparently yet more Tridents available from Scotland after the Games which could replace more long single decks. sounds like the older Solos may last a while yet.

Thanks for that. I knew I was making a gross oversimplification!

There were quite a number of Tridents parked up after the closure of Cumberland IIRC