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

[freetoview33]

Very big spend. Still doesn't mean bristol wont get a lot of new buses with cascades happening.

 

[THarris123]

Even if Steve White's figures are wrong (which they will be), they're only going to be out by a little figure.

The number to be replaced will all depend on what First do with service changes across the country. If we see a continued increase in new services in Bristol, it will increase the number and we'll see rubbish still lying around.

If I was going to make a guess, I would say First will order 400-500 Streetlites next year, about 50 odd Optares (solos/versas?) and possibly some E200s and other bits and bobs. That will probably cover the majority of it. The rest I expect will be modified to be DDA compliant.

Bristol will probably get some new stuff next year (but probably only about 10 vehicles). The rest will be cascaded from elsewhere. Bath will also probably end up with another 10 or so. Wells I expect could see a few. Weston is bound to see some new stuff next year - to replace the oldest stuff. I'm expecting to see 30 odd new vehicles for Somerset and 10 for Bristol. Everything else I expect will be cascaded.

 

[Class 33]

Had a look at First Bristol & Bath's Twitter page today and noticed two people complaining about the axing of the 20 https://twitter.com/FirstBSA/status/499536166170161153 and https://twitter.com/BristolDanny

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Even if Steve White's figures are wrong (which they will be), they're only going to be out by a little figure.

The number to be replaced will all depend on what First do with service changes across the country. If we see a continued increase in new services in Bristol, it will increase the number and we'll see rubbish still lying around.

If I was going to make a guess, I would say First will order 400-500 Streetlites next year, about 50 odd Optares (solos/versas?) and possibly some E200s and other bits and bobs. That will probably cover the majority of it. The rest I expect will be modified to be DDA compliant.

Bristol will probably get some new stuff next year (but probably only about 10 vehicles). The rest will be cascaded from elsewhere. Bath will also probably end up with another 10 or so. Wells I expect could see a few. Weston is bound to see some new stuff next year - to replace the oldest stuff. I'm expecting to see 30 odd new vehicles for Somerset and 10 for Bristol. Everything else I expect will be cascaded.

Steve does an excellent job but it's a moving feast. The Hampshire one is probably out by 20-25 with those due, on delivery and CG. SY was out similarly so there's 50 out of 1000. I'd agree with ftv33 that they're more likely to spend on Bristol and cascade stuff out.

Don't know if Weston will get anything new. It's had the new e400s, modern e200s and is suffering with CMS and their competition. New kit for the 376 is a fair shout.

 

[swifty]

Had a look at First Bristol & Bath's Twitter page today and noticed two people complaining about the axing of the 20 https://twitter.com/FirstBSA/status/499536166170161153 and https://twitter.com/BristolDanny

That man is a muppet, a classic keyboard warrior. If the service is worth saving then BCC will tender a replacement. He's also clearly missed that the 15 is replaced in part by the 72 along the busiest part of the route and still provides a service for part of the 20 route along Cranbrook Road.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Don't know what he's on about Kellaway Avenue having no buses. The 505 will continue to run down it. Not only that but Gloucester Road is the next block along, with the 71, 73, 75, 76 and the 309 all running down there.

As for BRI, it's just a short walk from Lewins Mead!

There will only be one part of Southmead that will lose a direct link, as to be fair most people can still use the 2 and the 76.

 

[Private Baxter]

Even if Steve White's figures are wrong (which they will be), they're only going to be out by a little figure.

The number to be replaced will all depend on what First do with service changes across the country. If we see a continued increase in new services in Bristol, it will increase the number and we'll see rubbish still lying around.

If I was going to make a guess, I would say First will order 400-500 Streetlites next year, about 50 odd Optares (solos/versas?) and possibly some E200s and other bits and bobs. That will probably cover the majority of it. The rest I expect will be modified to be DDA compliant.

Bristol will probably get some new stuff next year (but probably only about 10 vehicles). The rest will be cascaded from elsewhere. Bath will also probably end up with another 10 or so. Wells I expect could see a few. Weston is bound to see some new stuff next year - to replace the oldest stuff. I'm expecting to see 30 odd new vehicles for Somerset and 10 for Bristol. Everything else I expect will be cascaded.

Some reasonable predictions. I don't know if Hengrove would get anything else next year, after last year's massive fleet, and that which is on its way. They might just be OK for now. Something for LH perhaps though? Also not sure about WM, last yeear's E400 investment was pretty rare for them right? It's not often they get new buses. Definitely something for Wells, I will imagine something similar to Bath's X39 streetlites for 376, and presumably 173 as well. But as I suggested I think Bath will do quite well next year. I think they will get at least eight, bare in mind they were originally due another eight this year but ended up at MH. But it's possible they could recieve twice as many. Pure speculation of course, and that would displace some mid life stuff too which isn't such a problem, as Bath is actually looking pretty decent at the moment.

 

[freetoview33]

The 20 isn't sustainable how it is currently. But many routes can be changed to make up for parts which will loose a service.

It is very unlikely that many places in the South West will get more buses next year, as I said and I also agree with TheGrandWazoo (We actually agree on something) that it is more likely that places like Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds & Manchester will see new stuff to.

A) To get rid of the non DDA buses they currently have.
B) To cascade older but compliant buses elsewhere to displace very old non DDA buses to routes in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall that would never justify new buses.

It might seem bizarre but that is the way First work.

 

[THarris123]

Some reasonable predictions. I don't know if Hengrove would get anything else next year, after probably r's massive fleet, and that which is on its way. They might just be OK for now. Something H perhaps though? Also not sure about WM, last yeear's E400 investment was pretty rare for them right? It's not often they get new buses. Definitely something for Wells, I will imagine something similar to Bath's X39 streetlites for 376, and presumably 173 as well. But as I suggested I think Bath will do quite well next year. I think they will get at least eight, bare in mind they were originally due another eight this year but ended up at MH. But it's possible they could recieve twice as many. Pure speculation of course, and that would displace some mid life stuff too which isn't such a problem, as Bath is actually looking pretty decent at the moment.

I think Bath will end up with 6 or 7 New Streetlites next year. 5 for the 5 service and 1 more for 178/379. Another one will probably be spare. That would cascade stuff into Wells and probably Taunton. The only reason why I think HE will get something is because of the B6s.

On other news, has anyone seen the following?
69445 - it appears to be missing from Wells
40835 - ukbuses website states this has been withdrawn
42643 - ukbuses website doesn't say this is in Bath
66163 - that website also says this is in Taunton now.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Some reasonable predictions. I don't know if Hengrove would get anything else next year, after last year's massive fleet, and that which is on its way. They might just be OK for now. Something for LH perhaps though? Also not sure about WM, last yeear's E400 investment was pretty rare for them right? It's not often they get new buses. Definitely something for Wells, I will imagine something similar to Bath's X39 streetlites for 376, and presumably 173 as well. But as I suggested I think Bath will do quite well next year. I think they will get at least eight, bare in mind they were originally due another eight this year but ended up at MH. But it's possible they could recieve twice as many. Pure speculation of course, and that would displace some mid life stuff too which isn't such a problem, as Bath is actually looking pretty decent at the moment.

HE did get a lot of new Streetlites last year but didn't lose much junk. It lost the e200s (4 yrs old) to BH/WM and mid life Darts to LH. They've got 13/14 due but still think they and LH/BH will benefit. And yeah, 11 Streetlites to WS for 173/376 (63***) would be good.

Stagecoach were very good in allocating deckers to London/Manchester and letting them take the initial financial hit before cascading them to the provinces. Whilst that happened slightly with First (B7s from Mcr to Cornwall/Dorset), you'd hope they could cascade some newer kit out to the less lucrative areas but it is easier said!

 

[freetoview33]

Just need to face facts there is a lot of non DDA stuff still left and not much time left to shift it! How many out of the 800 or so left are double deckers? And when are the deadlines for singles and for doubles again?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Just need to face facts there is a lot of non DDA stuff still left and not much time left to shift it! How many out of the 800 or so left are double deckers? And when are the deadlines for singles and for doubles again?

Minis (e.g. Varios) 31/12/14, Single Deck 31/12/15, Double Deck 31/12/17. Not needed for closed school and college routes.

It's not black and white. 32001-25 aren't DDA compliant but can be made so. FWY has 50+ Olympians and FGM have some as However, it's Cornwall that is the main heartland. Other areas have few Olyms now with even places like Eastern Counties having less than 10.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think Bath will end up with 6 or 7 New Streetlites next year. 5 for the 5 service and 1 more for 178/379. Another one will probably be spare. That would cascade stuff into Wells and probably Taunton. The only reason why I think HE will get something is because of the B6s.

On other news, has anyone seen the following?
69445 - it appears to be missing from Wells
40835 - ukbuses website states this has been withdrawn
42643 - ukbuses website doesn't say this is in Bath
66163 - that website also says this is in Taunton now.

Beware of UK Buses. There's often errors. 40835 was originally mistaken for 40589 as the vehicle that caught light in Kingswood.

 

[Private Baxter]

I think Bath will end up with 6 or 7 New Streetlites next year. 5 for the 5 service and 1 more for 178/379. Another one will probably be spare. That would cascade stuff into Wells and probably Taunton. The only reason why I think HE will get something is because of the B6s.

On other news, has anyone seen the following?
69445 - it appears to be missing from Wells
40835 - ukbuses website states this has been withdrawn
42643 - ukbuses website doesn't say this is in Bath
66163 - that website also says this is in Taunton now.

I suppose the 5 was the route they were trialled on for a while, but now they seem to have settled on 178/379, two routes to which I believe they are very suited. As things stand, there are actually enough streetlites to cover those services. The 02 reg B7s tend to work the 5 now. Personally I'd like to see any future delivery of streetlites work the 14 and/or 267.

40835 was working 319 today, so it's fine. 66163 was reported as having movd to BH a while back, but this doesnt seem to have happened. No idea where it is. It was based in TN a few years ago I believe. As for 66945, @WM perhaps recieving maintence? Perhaps something is filling in for it at WS.

 

[THarris123]

Just need to face facts there is a lot of non DDA stuff still left and not much time left to shift it! How many out of 800 or so left are double deckers? And when are the deadlines for singles and for doubles again?

None of the 800 are Deckers. All are single decks and solos/varios. I think off the top of my head there are about 600 deckers to be replaced. The majority of those are W/X/Y rev and can be modified to be DDA compliant. Expect a few E400s for next year and year after to replace the 34***, 30*** and 31*** range.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

None of the 800 are Deckers. All are single decks and solos/varios. I think off the top of my head there are about 600 deckers to be replaced. The majority of those are W/X/Y rev and can be modified to be DDA compliant. Expect a few E400s for next year and year after to replace the 34***, 30*** and 31*** range.

Ignoring various sundry Routemasters etc, the First fleets according to Steve White have got 137 Olympians left. Of those, 42 are in West Yorkshire (and as Bramley are getting some new deckers, they'll be getting much reduced), whilst 52 are in Cornwall.

There are penny numbers elsewhere and even in Scotland, the ones there are being replaced imminently. Deckers won't be a problem, I suspect, so anticipate modest new ones on subsequent orders. Also, Giles Fearnley has said that First have too many deckers as it is.

As for the most pressing issue which are the aged Darts and B6s, there's about 400 and that discounts the ones which are being replaced now (e.g. includes the Bath SPDs etc)

 

[freetoview33]

Well if in Bristol First are determined to run 6,7 50,51 and 90 as Double Deckers then I'm sure they will be trying to get some new ones. I'm thinking that next year Hengrove might get more streetlites for the 70,71 and 72. Then moving the eclipses on I'm not sure where they would be suited to, although I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they ended up on the 309, 310.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well if in Bristol First are determined to run 6,7 50,51 and 90 as Double Deckers then I'm sure they will be trying to get some new ones. I'm thinking that next year Hengrove might get more streetlites for the 70,71 and 72. Then moving the eclipses on I'm not sure where they would be suited to, although I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they ended up on the 309, 310.

I don't know if the 50/51 are supposed to be 100%.

As for 59 reg Eclipses, don't see them on the 309/10. Perhaps a more likely place could be the 265 to displace the 54 vintage? I'm wondering if 70/71 might receive HE's Streetlites for this year?

That said, who knows what might happen and ain't that the fun of it.

 

[freetoview33]

In my eyes the 6,7,50,51 and 90 don't need to be fully doubles anyway but there you go!

Yeah the 265 would be a better route come to think of it. And very true it is the fun of it. Just need to wait until First get some more wacky ideas for Bristol!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

In my eyes the 6,7,50,51 and 90 don't need to be fully doubles anyway but there you go!

Yeah the 265 would be a better route come to think of it. And very true it is the fun of it. Just need to wait until First get some more wacky ideas for Bristol!

We've mentioned the 6/7 before. If it's based on observations in town, people think that but there's both the college in Soundwell and BCA in Redfield that dictates the use of deckers. The latter is also (along with BEC) a reason why selected 36s also need deckers

 

[Private Baxter]

I too think (at least hope) that the 59 reg B7s will end up at bh for 265. I experienced it recently on route to BOA, and thought how ideal was and can just picture one heading down to Salisbury on that final stretch. I would say there's a good chance of that happening, though whether they will come from Wells when there's are replaced, or from Hengrove in the more immediate future is the fun part. One thing I'm fairly confident about and that's I don't think they'll stay at HE long, and we could well, as you say, see new streetlites on 70.

 

[freetoview33]

We've mentioned the 6/7 before. If it's based on observations in town, people think that but there's both the college in Soundwell and BCA in Redfield that dictates the use of deckers. The latter is also (along with BEC) a reason why selected 36s also need deckers

Most of the time I see it, it's St George way.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Most of the time I see it, it's St George way.

There you go; you'll not see why 6/7 need deckers. Not certain about 50/51 but they're not routes I know well. Swifty will have a better idea on those

 

[windnoise69]

Streetlight 47551 made appearance on the X18 this afternoon'

 

[henairs]

Hi All,
For the chap who was asking 42643 was out on the 14 route noted last Saturday in the Odd Down area.
Mike Russell

 

[South Westerly]

Even if Steve White's figures are wrong (which they will be), they're only going to be out by a little figure.

The number to be replaced will all depend on what First do with service changes across the country. If we see a continued increase in new services in Bristol, it will increase the number and we'll see rubbish still lying around.

If I was going to make a guess, I would say First will order 400-500 Streetlites next year, about 50 odd Optares (solos/versas?) and possibly some E200s and other bits and bobs. That will probably cover the majority of it. The rest I expect will be modified to be DDA compliant.

Bristol will probably get some new stuff next year (but probably only about 10 vehicles). The rest will be cascaded from elsewhere. Bath will also probably end up with another 10 or so. Wells I expect could see a few. Weston is bound to see some new stuff next year - to replace the oldest stuff. I'm expecting to see 30 odd new vehicles for Somerset and 10 for Bristol. Everything else I expect will be cascaded.

You expect to see 30 new buses for Somerset...why?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Had a slight divert to MR tonight. Lots of longer term residents have gone to meet the breakers torch but recent arrivals are the ex Bath SPDs and Marshalls 41721 and pranged 41389.

More interesting were a number of Tridents. 32946 was there - thought it was being prepared for service at Taunton. Another ALX there but a different batch and another with Plaxton body? More for BoS or FDC??

 

[ryson357]

Had a slight divert to MR tonight. Lots of longer term residents have gone to meet the breakers torch but recent arrivals are the ex Bath SPDs and Marshalls 41721 and pranged 41389.

More interesting were a number of Tridents. 32946 was there - thought it was being prepared for service at Taunton. Another ALX there but a different batch and another with Plaxton body? More for BoS or FDC??

I've heard that Bristol are getting 8 Tridents from Glasgow, being prepared to go into Hengrove depot.

 

[swifty]

More interesting were a number of Tridents. 32946 was there - thought it was being prepared for service at Taunton. Another ALX there but a different batch and another with Plaxton body? More for BoS or FDC??

That's listed over on the First thread as one of 8 recently withdrawn from Parkhead depot.

 

[freetoview33]

That would bring me back to the point of double deckers on the 50,51 and 90

 

[THarris123]

You expect to see 30 new buses for Somerset...why?

10 for Wells, about 10 for Bath (for the 5& 178/379), and 10 for WM to replace the B10s and Marshalls.