buses used for Bristol Balloon Fiesta

[windnoise69]

I see First are supplying buses for the Bristol Balloon Fiesta this year, running a shuttle from temple meads station.

What buses are being used? the West of England fleet seems stretched enough of late with unusual workings so what's doing these extra services?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Haha yes, a good point.

I expect there'll be Geminis, like in previous years, and routes like the 75/76 will end up with Streetlites for the time being.

Or maybe a few Enviro 400s may be drafted in from Weston.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Haha yes, a good point.

I expect there'll be Geminis, like in previous years, and routes like the 75/76 will end up with Streetlites for the time being.

Or maybe a few Enviro 400s may be drafted in from Weston.

Surely best source would be Bath with 10 B7s whose capacity isn't really needed at the moment?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Surely best source would be Bath with 10 B7s whose capacity isn't really needed at the moment?

I was thinking Bath or Wells but didn't want to sound nuts!

 

[83G/84D]

Steve Wight's website states that First Hampshire have loaned Trident's 32704 & 32767 and Volvo B7 32031 to Bristol for the Balloon festival.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Steve Wight's website states that First Hampshire have loaned Trident's 32704 & 32767 and Volvo B7 32031 to Bristol for the Balloon festival.

Seems a bit odd that they've drafted in buses from Hampshire when Bristol has a sizeable fleet already! I suppose the fleet is fairly tight as it is though.

Of course 32704 used to be a Bristol resident not so long back!

 

[83G/84D]

The First of a few years ago might have dragged a few stored Marshall Dart's or similar back into use from store! At least the Southampton loans are half decent buses and deckers at that.

 

[ValleyLines142]

True. To be fair I'd have thought we'd have had a fleet of 14-reg Enviro 400s brought down from those used at the CWG.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

True. To be fair I'd have thought we'd have had a fleet of 14-reg Enviro 400s brought down from those used at the CWG.

you need just 3 for a few days and there's kit spare from schools; you're not gonna drag vehicles from Scotland to Bristol then back up to GM/Yorkshire in those circumstances
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The First of a few years ago might have dragged a few stored Marshall Dart's or similar back into use from store! At least the Southampton loans are half decent buses and deckers at that.

No, they sourced from within FSA/FB a few years ago. Usually deckers but the odd B7RLE

 

[swifty]

There was a queue of Bristol Gemini on stand on the centre, although they were only loading one bus at a time. Meanwhile at Temple Meads they were stopping at the Rail Replacement stop and turning short on the first circle to avoid the canopy.

I still find it amazing that people are willing to pay twice to use the shuttle when a day rider and the X2/3 (or any other route to Ashton overpass) will do it!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There was a queue of Bristol Gemini on stand on the centre, although they were only loading one bus at a time. Meanwhile at Temple Meads they were stopping at the Rail Replacement stop and turning short on the first circle to avoid the canopy.

I still find it amazing that people are willing to pay twice to use the shuttle when a day rider and the X2/3 (or any other route to Ashton overpass) will do it!

Suspect a lot on non regular bus users who know no different and go for the easiest option

 

[JamesGoldsmith]

Buses of Somerset decker also out in use tonight on the balloon shuttle. Displaying 'duplicate service' on the LED display.

 

[windnoise69]

33382 was the BoS bus

 

[ValleyLines142]

you need just 3 for a few days and there's kit spare from schools; you're not gonna drag vehicles from Scotland to Bristol then back up to GM/Yorkshire in those circumstances

Well this is First we're talking about!

I'm surprised though to be honest.

I'm pretty sure some of Bristol's Geminis were on the shuttle last year though.

 

[Class 33]

Steve Wight's website states that First Hampshire have loaned Trident's 32704 & 32767 and Volvo B7 32031 to Bristol for the Balloon festival.

Ah lovely buses those Tridents. A shame we can't get some of these back for normal Bristol city services! It was great during the short period(only about a year or so) when a few of them were on the 75 & 76. Made a pleasant change getting on one of these instead of a Gemini. Much much missed! https://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/8704721185

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ah lovely buses those Tridents. A shame we can't get some of these back for normal Bristol city services! It was great during the short period(only about a year or so) when a few of them were on the 75 & 76. Made a pleasant change getting on one of these instead of a Gemini. Much much missed! https://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/8704721185

Only much missed from an enthusiasts view. Not exactly reliable nor quick

 

[baza585]

Ah lovely buses those Tridents. A shame we can't get some of these back for normal Bristol city services! It was great during the short period(only about a year or so) when a few of them were on the 75 & 76. Made a pleasant change getting on one of these instead of a Gemini. Much much missed! https://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/8704721185

I'm sure FHD management would happily let you have the whole batch back; they are very unreliable and some are absolute nails to drive. We'll have some Geminis instead please!!

 

[Class 33]

Please not yet more Gemini's to add to the allready minefield of identical Gemini's we have now! Allthough the ex-London ones with the different engine sounds are better. As I understand it from what someone on here said a while ago, when First Bristol does get new double deckers they won't be Gemini's anymore, hopefully Enviro 400's then.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Please not yet more Gemini's to add to the allready minefield of identical Gemini's we have now! Allthough the ex-London ones with the different engine sounds are better. As I understand it from what someone on here said a while ago, when First Bristol does get new double deckers they won't be Gemini's anymore, hopefully Enviro 400's then.

That's not guaranteed. However, First do look like they've nailed their colours onto the e400, either in standard ADL format or the ADL 400H Hybrid. That said, Stagecoach surprised everyone by getting some Gemini 3s but more likely it'll be e400s.

I'm a realist and know that the old Tridents are, as Baza states, utter rubbish. Variety might suit the gricer but not the business as the Geminis are much, much better. And of course, 99.99% of people don't even notice. They just seen old and dirty, new and clean, etc

 

[swifty]

Only much missed from an enthusiasts view. Not exactly reliable nor quick

As evidenced here, yesterday afternoon.....

https://flic.kr/p/oEGpyd

 

[baza585]

As evidenced here, yesterday afternoon.....

https://flic.kr/p/oEGpyd

What did I say................

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

What did I say................

Probably explains, together with Sat/Sun being the busiest days, why there were a number of Geminis on the Balloon Shuttle. I saw 37350 among others.

First were very good with signage at Temple Meads where people were directed to the bottom stop where the deckers can avoid hitting the canopy. 69453 was also working the A1!

 

[ValleyLines142]

First were very good with signage at Temple Meads where people were directed to the bottom stop where the deckers can avoid hitting the canopy. 69453 was also working the A1!

69456 was on the A1 a few days ago too.

Has one of the Airport Flyer B7RLE's appeared on city routes? It'd be great with their leather seats and plug sockets!