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

[swifty]

I was unaware of this. Does that mean I won't be able to use the 29 to get to Glastonbury if I buy a FWE ticket in Bath or Bristol? Before anyone says it, I know there's a heap of other, more regular services to jump on, and I'm unlikely to use 29, but just in case that happened to be the first one to show up....

This is what it says on the First website;

"West of England Plus tickets allow unlimited day travel on all First bus services in the West of England and Buses of Somerset."

Make of that what you will!

 

[freetoview33]

This is what it says on the First website;

"West of England Plus tickets allow unlimited day travel on all First bus services in the West of England and Buses of Somerset."

Make of that what you will!

You can on West of England Plus but on just West of England it says selected Buses of Somerset services.

 

[Class 33]

Those of you eagerly awaiting the VOSA preview of the September Bristol bus changes. Looks like we'll still have to wait a little longer yet! If it was running to the same time frame as last year, the details would be posted next Monday. However it appears it will be Tuesday 22nd July, according to the current edition(non Bristol area) that was posted yesterday it says next edition Tuesday 22nd July. So still another 2 weeks to wait yet! The September changes had better be really good after this long wait!

 

[swifty]

You can on West of England Plus but on just West of England it says selected Buses of Somerset services.

I can't see any mention of BoS for the West of England day, it only mentions some services going into Somerset;

"West of England tickets allow travel on all First bus services in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and the west of Wiltshire and some services leaving this area (going into Somerset)"

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I can't see any mention of BoS for the West of England day, it only mentions some services going into Somerset;

"West of England tickets allow travel on all First bus services in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and the west of Wiltshire and some services leaving this area (going into Somerset)"

Was on the announcement a couple of weeks ago for the £7 ticket but needs clarifying

 

[freetoview33]

West of England - Includes 375/X75/377 NO BUSES OF SOMERSET SERVICES =(

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/fairerfaresforall/west-of-england.html#westofenglandmap

 

[iantherev]

West of England - Includes 375/X75/377 NO BUSES OF SOMERSET SERVICES =(

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/fairerfaresforall/west-of-england.html#westofenglandmap

But the West of England Plus pass at £10 does include the Buses of Somerset network. would be nice is the £10 BoS day ticket reciprocated.

 

[ClevedonYellow]

Weston's e400s are concentrated on the X1 and X6 as well as X4/5. If they're short for any reason (e.g. Maintenance, failure, traffic delays on X1, etc) then the other routes get priority and X4/5 gets the next best option which are the B7RLEs (thought B10BLEs have a few more seats and are arguably more comfortable albeit older)
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It does say selected BoS services.... Might be worth contacting them? Could be 29 but not south of Street/Ashcott but that's just a guess so worth dropping a tweet to them. That section, Weston to Uphill, Woolavington to Bridgwater and Somerton to Yeovil are the only common sections where BoS and FSA operate?????

The X6 though is ok with B7's / B10's and are full but not standing. The X4 is only at college times and are always overcrowded going down the motorway to Weston and coming back at 17:00 from WSM. The X5 between Portishead and Clevedon is very busy (sometimes standing) between Clevedon and WSM. I also find that if I am travelling from Portishead to WSM I will go into Bristol on a X2/X3 and get an X1, It is a more comfortable journey and sometimes quicker.

First really need an in-depth look into the X4 / X5, X6, X8 (X9, X10) and W1 to make sure that the best service can be provided with the available stock. Also with connection times and end to end journey times.

I feel that the X6 should be 2 B7/B10 and 2 Enviro 400's, The X4/X5 to be All Enviro 400's the X1 all Enviro 400's and the W1 as B7/B10 and 32001 (My most hated bus!)

 

[South Westerly]

But the West of England Plus pass at £10 does include the Buses of Somerset network. would be nice is the £10 BoS day ticket reciprocated.

It is, and still will be.

BoS day tickets are and will remain valid across the West of England network. West of England Plus is valid across the BoS network, as the FSW day tickets were.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It is, and still will be.

BoS day tickets are and will remain valid across the West of England network. West of England Plus is valid across the BoS network, as the FSW day tickets were.

Looks like the FSA (WoE) ticket is priced at £7 so that it's slightly cheaper than AvonRider whilst the WoE Plus is at £10 so it's consistent with the BoS one. FDSW was ridiculously cheap tbh!

 

[Martin1988]

Don't know if there is a definitive answer. Some evening services may never be sustainable or busy. In regard of the X49, it is very much the junior service to the 48/49 in terms of frequency and (as you said) the 47 goes before so probably takes a number of the Yate passengers.

Sunday evening loadings are now markedly weaker than other nights with increase in drinking at home and withdrawal of subsidy but why the 47 is worse than anything else, don't know!

Thanks ever so much for taking the time to explain. I used that service on the may day sunday and it was definitely busier then.

 

[Private Baxter]

It looks like most, if not all, of Bath's new buses have been delivered and are on the road. Don't know if they will actually be allocated to a specific route or not, 47544 was out on the 5 today (as exoected by many), whilst 47548 was on 231. Meanwhile 47547 was on standby at bus sation.

Don't know if Bristol's have arrived yet, but I should hopefully find out when I go tomorrow.

 

[Martin1988]

For anyone interested a number of VOSA entries appeared today for changes to First bus services in September.

Routes listed include the 5, X6, 20/21,38/39/X39,46/X46,48,49,50/51, 82 91 in the Bristol area

and also Bath services 2,5,235/236

A registration also appeared today from Wessex Connect for the cancellation of the X27 service so I'm guessing the changes to the 46/X46 relate to that somehow.

 

[ryson357]

For anyone interested a number of VOSA entries appeared today for changes to First bus services in September.

Routes listed include the 5, X6, 20/21,38/39/X39,46/X46,48,49,50/51, 82 91 in the Bristol area

and also Bath services 2,5,235/236

A registration also appeared today from Wessex Connect for the cancellation of the X27 service so I'm guessing the changes to the 46/X46 relate to that somehow.

I'm intrigued why service 20 has it's cancelation? Thought this was a busyish route?
I thought service 21 bristol was withdrawn ages ago??

 

[DaveHarries]

For anyone interested a number of VOSA entries appeared today for changes to First bus services in September.

Routes listed include the 5, X6, 20/21,38/39/X39,46/X46,48,49,50/51, 82 91 in the Bristol area

and also Bath services 2,5,235/236

A registration also appeared today from Wessex Connect for the cancellation of the X27 service so I'm guessing the changes to the 46/X46 relate to that somehow.

For a better idea of the VOSA Bus Registrations for today:


First Somerset & Avon:
2 Kingsway - Ensleigh (Bath) (CAN)
5 Worle - Uphill (Weston-s-Mare) (CAN)
X6 Bristol - Clevedon (TT)
38/39/X39 Bristol - Bath (TT)
46/X46 Bristol Yate (TT)
235 Melksham - Trowbridge (CAN)

First Bristol:
5 City Centre - Downend (RT & TT)
20 Southmead - City Centre (CAN)
48 / 49 City Centre - Emersons Green (CAN)
50 / 51 City Centre - Hengrove Depot (TT)
81 / 82 Kingswood / Southmead - Parkway / Yate) (RT & TT)
90 Centre - Hengrove Depot (TT)

Seems to be loss of Service 5 on the Downend - Emersons Green: I guess the 18 provides an adequate replacement at the same frequency. Also the loss of the 20 isn't too surprising but that will leave quite a gap around Westbury-on-Trym, the eastern edge of Southmead, through Horfield and part of Bishopston. It also seems that the 82 may not operate between Cribbs Causeway & Southmead?

Lastly I wonder if the changes to the 50 / 51 may be for provision of later journeys? It seems to me that the old N5 (the former Rookery Farm nightbus) wasn't wholly / partly replaced when it was withdrawn and perhaps there have been requests for later journeys in areas previously served by the N5?

I'm intrigued why service 20 has it's cancelation? Thought this was a busyish route?

It can be at peak times but certainly in the evenings I don't think it gets much use, which explains why it is only hourly at those times. IMO the passenger numbers on the 20 at off-peak times would barely fill an Optare Solo?

There might well be more changes to come.

Dave

 

[Class 33]

Ah right, so we at long last got the VOSA preview of the September Bristol changes today then. But after all that LOOOONG wait, for me it's all a bit of a disapointment! No interesting changes atall for me personally! I very rarely use any of those services! Will have to wait now till about mid-late February for details of the APRIL 2015 changes! Zzzz.......

What happened to the changes we were supposed to be getting for the 1,2, 75 & 76 this year?!(according to an email First Bristol sent Freetoview33, there were supposed to be changes to these services this year!) And the 309 & 310 will not renumbered 78 & 79 or X11 & X12 or whatever this year after all, maybe next year.

I take it also that the bizarre and pointless timetabling of those two service 76's both leaving Cribbs Causeway at 0708 on weekdays is still going to continue!

 

[windnoise69]

What's happening to the 48/49?

 

[swifty]

What's happening to the 48/49?

They're not cancelled, they're down as timetable changes. However as we all know with Vosa/DVSA/whatever they are today, this is only half the story and no doubt more will come tomorrow and next week....

The 5 will also still be running to Emersons Green post September.

 

[Class 33]

It also seems that the 82 may not operate between Cribbs Causeway & Southmead?

According to the TravelineSW website the 82 will still operate between Cribbs Causeway and Southmead from September. But with just some minor timetable adjustments. For instance the current 1415 and 1732 departures towards Southmead Hospitel will become 1413 and 1728.

 

[THarris123]

It looks like most, if not all, of Bath's new buses have been delivered and are on the road. Don't know if they will actually be allocated to a specific route or not, 47544 was out on the 5 today (as exoected by many), whilst 47548 was on 231. Meanwhile 47547 was on standby at bus sation.

Don't know if Bristol's have arrived yet, but I should hopefully find out when I go tomorrow.

Bizarrely 63069 was on 178/379 today, along with (I think) 47546 (it could have been 47548?). 33285 was on 231 today - bit odd to have a decker on this. According to the quote, they should have 2 more to come, I think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
What are they doing with the 2 service in Bath? I also thought someone mentioned on here a little while back that 13 was going to be split up?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, what are they doing with the X39/39/38? Just a few minor changes I assume?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Interesting stuff on Steve White's website.

It looks like we're only getting 15 new Streetlites in Bath/Bristol. I thought originally it was said that 14 were going to Bath and 14 to Bristol. Are there more on there way or have the others been diverted elsewhere?

He says 46259 has gone! Hooray!!!

40593 looks as though it has gone to BoS and 66351 has come into Bath. I've heard more rumours that another 2 are to come up to Bath.

And finally some of the crap darts have gone - 40525/40529/40542/42702. I saw 40534 and 42824 (the Marshall) in Bath today. So unfortunately there are still some being used - damn! It's only a matter of time before 46603 goes - I'm beginning to get excited!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They're not cancelled, they're down as timetable changes. However as we all know with Vosa/DVSA/whatever they are today, this is only half the story and no doubt more will come tomorrow and next week....

The 5 will also still be running to Emersons Green post September.

Thanks for saying that. VOSA have form for retaining old info on announcements (like the 5 running to Downend) or for publishing cancellations on one day and new regs the following day.

I'd wait for a day or two and see what else gets announced
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Bizarrely 63069 was on 178/379 today, along with (I think) 47546 (it could have been 47548?). 33285 was on 231 today - bit odd to have a decker on this. According to the quote, they should have 2 more to come, I think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
What are they doing with the 2 service in Bath? I also thought someone mentioned on here a little while back that 13 was going to be split up?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, what are they doing with the X39/39/38? Just a few minor changes I assume?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Interesting stuff on Steve White's website.

It looks like we're only getting 15 new Streetlites in Bath/Bristol. I thought originally it was said that 14 were going to Bath and 14 to Bristol. Are there more on there way or have the others been diverted elsewhere?

He says 46259 has gone! Hooray!!!

40593 looks as though it has gone to BoS and 66351 has come into Bath. I've heard more rumours that another 2 are to come up to Bath.

And finally some of the crap darts have gone - 40525/40529/40542/42702. I saw 40534 and 42824 (the Marshall) in Bath today. So unfortunately there are still some being used - damn! It's only a matter of time before 46603 goes - I'm beginning to get excited!

42824 is an East Lancs Spryte not Marshall. As regards the Streetlites, wasn't it 15 for Bath 47544-58 of which 8 are now at MH. Another 13 (47559-71) are still due for HE, aren't they? 42702 has been withdrawn for some time and hidden in MR.

Also, did you mean 32285 on 231?

 

[freetoview33]

I found this.

Weston
5. Worle - Uphill (Cancelled)

Bristol
5. Cente - Downend (Route & Timetable)
X6. Bristol - Clevedon (Timetable)
11/11A. U.W.E (Route & Timetable)
12. U.W.E (Route & Timetable)
13. U.W.E (Route & Timetable)
14. U.W.E (Timetable)
15/15A. U.W.E (Cancelled)
19. U.W.E (Timetable)
20. Centre - Southmead (Cancelled)
X27. Bristol - Yate (Cancelled)
38/39/X39. Bristol - Bath (Timetable)
46/X46. Bristol - Yate (Timetable)
48/49. Cente - Emersons Green (Timetable)
50/51. Centre - Hengrove (Timetable)
81/82. Yate - Kingswood/Southmead (Route & Timetable)
90. Broadmead - Hengrove (Timetable)
202. Winterbourne - Chipping Sodbury (Route & Timetable)
442/443 - Oldfield School (Cancelled) (Abus)
622. Cribbs - Thornbury (New/Wessex/Sundays)

Bath
2. Ensleigh - Kingsway (Cancelled)
235/236. Melksham - Trowbridge (Cancelled)
267. Bath -Frome (Timetable) (Faresaver)
X72. Bath - Bath (Timetable) (Faresaver)
635/636. Bristol - Chippenham (Timetable) (Faresaver) (Assuming it means 634 not 636)

 

[vicbury]

Cancellation of the 2 in Bath isn't a surprise as I believe you can use the park and ride buses to Lansdown, but what will replace it on the Kingsway section?

 

[Class 33]

Very surprised about the 20 will be cancelled. This means there will now no longer be a bus service between Southmead and Westbury for the first time in over 53 years!! Also what about the other areas in the Westbury, Henleaze, Horfield, Bishopston, etc area too which will no longer have a bus service?

This to me looks like that will be it for the First Bristol changes this September. Dissapointed that there will be no changes to any of the services in the 70 series, but it'snot much of surprise atall really. So much for First Bristol telling you there would be changes this year on the 75 & 76 Freetoview33!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Very surprised about the 20 will be cancelled. This means there will now no longer be a bus service between Southmead and Westbury for the first time in over 53 years!! Also what about the other areas in the Westbury, Henleaze, Horfield, Bishopston, etc area too which will no longer have a bus service?

This to me looks like that will be it for the First Bristol changes this September. Dissapointed that there will be no changes to any of the services in the 70 series, but it'snot much of surprise atall really. So much for First Bristol telling you there would be changes this year on the 75 & 76 Freetoview33!

Read what Swifty said..... Vosa often make statements over two or three days so could well be some announcement on 75/76 and something on the 20 to come. It's often the way that a cancellation appears one day and a new service appears a day or two later

 

[swifty]

However as we all know with Vosa/DVSA/whatever they are today, this is only half the story and no doubt more will come tomorrow and next week....

 

[DaveHarries]

I forgot that this part of the forum also deals with Wales, boyos! There is some stuff listed on the VOSA registrations for today (10th July) for First Cymru as well and the details for that lot are:

New Services:
X7 Cymmer - Cardiff via. Maesteg (may partly replace 32 / 36?)
X12 Swansea - Carmarthen (Mon - Sat, 4 journeys daily)

Revised Services:
32 / 36 Bridgend - Cymmer (see above) (TT)
148 Pontardawe - Gwaun-cae-Gurwen (TT)
226 - 228 / 900 - 902 Neath - Port Talbot (TT)

Withdrawn Services:
154 Neath - Aberdulais

All the above wef 01-Sep-2014
Dave

 

[Private Baxter]

Bizarrely 63069 was on 178/379 today, along with (I think) 47546 (it could have been 47548?). 33285 was on 231 today - bit odd to have a decker on this. According to the quote, they should have 2 more to come, I think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
What are they doing with the 2 service in Bath? I also thought someone mentioned on here a little while back that 13 was going to be split up?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, what are they doing with the X39/39/38? Just a few minor changes I assume?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Interesting stuff on Steve White's website.

It looks like we're only getting 15 new Streetlites in Bath/Bristol. I thought originally it was said that 14 were going to Bath and 14 to Bristol. Are there more on there way or have the others been diverted elsewhere?

He says 46259 has gone! Hooray!!!

40593 looks as though it has gone to BoS and 66351 has come into Bath. I've heard more rumours that another 2 are to come up to Bath.

And finally some of the crap darts have gone - 40525/40529/40542/42702. I saw 40534 and 42824 (the Marshall) in Bath today. So unfortunately there are still some being used - damn! It's only a matter of time before 46603 goes - I'm beginning to get excited!

Those 13 reg streetlites do occasionally work other services, and I have seen them on 178/379, though not very often and it's not really ideal.

There was indeed a decker on 231, albeit one of the ex London 53 reg examples, which again does occasionally happen, and perhaps more so in the summer when not required on the 15. Speaking of which I don't know why First are using up two of these buses for the 15 when it carries few passengers this time of year.

I think the fifteen new buses were originally intended for Bath, and though it would normally be disappointing that they didn't all make it, I'm delighted to see the others actually go to MH. I've never known this to happen, and according to Steve White's site, it's the first time they've recieved anything new since 1997! I'm guessing all those P reg buses have been scrapped now?

So seven are coming to Bath. Three S UAKs have gone and the remaining P PAE. That leaves three S UAKs still in service which presumably will follow shortly. That just leaves a few crappy darts still around but overall the depot is now in much better shape than it has been, although I don't understand why they've just been sent two more pieces of crap from Hoeford?? Maybe they won't last long. Further more the B6s are heading out soon as well, to be replaced by something a little bit better although their replacements do need updating.

But I bet 46603 will keep going!! However we don't know what MH will be disposing of yet, and maybe one or two darts will head down to WS??

 

[freetoview33]

I am wondering where the Hengrove streetlites will be used as the 50.51.90 are all deckers. 8.9.24 are already Streetlites. Unless the 50.51 and 90 are going more frequent but going to full single service. Allowing the 70 to go fully decker. And the eclipses to move on?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I am wondering where the Hengrove streetlites will be used as the 50.51.90 are all deckers. 8.9.24 are already Streetlites. Unless the 50.51 and 90 are going more frequent but going to full single service. Allowing the 70 to go fully decker. And the eclipses to move on?

They could go on the 5?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Those 13 reg streetlites do occasionally work other services, and I have seen them on 178/379, though not very often and it's not really ideal.

There was indeed a decker on 231, albeit one of the ex London 53 reg examples, which again does occasionally happen, and perhaps more so in the summer when not required on the 15. Speaking of which I don't know why First are using up two of these buses for the 15 when it carries few passengers this time of year.

I think the fifteen new buses were originally intended for Bath, and though it would normally be disappointing that they didn't all make it, I'm delighted to see the others actually go to MH. I've never known this to happen, and according to Steve White's site, it's the first time they've recieved anything new since 1997! I'm guessing all those P reg buses have been scrapped now?

So seven are coming to Bath. Three S UAKs have gone and the remaining P PAE. That leaves three S UAKs still in service which presumably will follow shortly. That just leaves a few crappy darts still around but overall the depot is now in much better shape than it has been, although I don't understand why they've just been sent two more pieces of crap from Hoeford?? Maybe they won't last long. Further more the B6s are heading out soon as well, to be replaced by something a little bit better although their replacements do need updating.

But I bet 46603 will keep going!! However we don't know what MH will be disposing of yet, and maybe one or two darts will head down to WS??

I'd be guessing that the two Hoeford Darts are to alleviate a vehicle shortage as 40589 caught light among other things and will be gone in a very short time