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

[TheGrandWazoo]

That's listed over on the First thread as one of 8 recently withdrawn from Parkhead depot.

32946 is one of three (32935/46/47??) that were supposedly being prepared for use at Taunton - think I saw it at TN depot a few weeks ago. Bit odd if they sent Tridents back to Bristol?
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10 for Wells, about 10 for Bath (for the 5& 178/379), and 10 for WM to replace the B10s and Marshalls.

You might, just might, get 11 for WS for the 173/376 as it would reflect the usual intake for those routes. BH might get a few for general fleet replacement. However, WM..... Not really seeing it myself. The Marshalls are probably going with the W5's withdrawal anyway.

 

[ValleyLines142]

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

freetoview33 didn't say that the 6/7 needed to be FULLY single decker, just a mixture, which I agree with.

To be fair at peak times the 6/7 is HEAVING upon departure from Baldwin Street and Wine Street,so deckers are needed there. But in the afternoons (i.e. before the college kids/rush hour) it could get away with singles.

As for the 376, it has 59-reg B7RLEs, so I would be surprised if that had 'new stock'.

 

[Private Baxter]

Wells are more likely to get eleven. Seven for 376, three of 173 and one spare. That's the current situation anyway with the remaining eleven eclipses, so I'd imagine any new streetlites would be a direct replacement. However some might stay to replace the B10s.

Wells tends to get new stock every six years or so, so next year would seem like a reasonable time to get something. The R BOUs arrived early 1998 (replacing the H YTCs I believe??), which were replaced byb the 54 reg eclipses at the end of 2004, which were replaced by the current batch of 59 reg ones in October 2009.

 

[swifty]

32946 is one of three (32935/46/47??) that were supposedly being prepared for use at Taunton - think I saw it at TN depot a few weeks ago. Bit odd if they sent Tridents back to Bristol?
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All 3 ALX400s are still with BoS, 32935/6/47. I suppose if there is an urgent need for deckers in Bristol they'll take whatever they can get in the short term?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

All 3 ALX400s are still with BoS, 32935/6/47. I suppose if there is an urgent need for deckers in Bristol they'll take whatever they can get in the short term?

You're right, my mistake. :roll: I was mixing up 32936 with 32947!! So 32946 and others are heading to HE? I thought they might be being staged before heading further South but as you say, beggars can't be choosers!
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freetoview33 didn't say that the 6/7 needed to be FULLY single decker, just a mixture, which I agree with.

To be fair at peak times the 6/7 is HEAVING upon departure from Baldwin Street and Wine Street,so deckers are needed there. But in the afternoons (i.e. before the college kids/rush hour) it could get away with singles.

As for the 376, it has 59-reg B7RLEs, so I would be surprised if that had 'new stock'.

Baxter is quite correct that the 376 has received new fleet every 6 years (on average) starting with the 1991 Lynxes (3610-6 H610-6YTC) and then the other batches mentioned. Of course, there are wider factors to consider plus route performance (and impact of WB etc) but to dismiss the precedent because they're 2009 isn't correct.

As for the other point, you're not quite getting it. I did point out the 36 as an example where selected boards are deckers. Same as 319 though I confess I don't know why some 50/51/90 are deckers and some aren't.

However, the 6/7 is more complex than you appreciate. There are runs to/from Centre that are very busy. There are some less so that don't appear to need deckers BASED ON VIEWS IN THE CENTRE OR ST GEORGE. That fails to appreciate that there are two large educational establishments in Soundwell and Redfield so just because 6/7 aren't full in the Centre doesn't mean that deckers aren't needed elsewhere. That's why the 6/7 need deckers, AFAIK.

As for mentioning loadings outside of peaks being lower and not needing deckers, there's loads of examples so not sure what you're advocating?

 

[Colly405]

Looking at the new 82 timetable, it appears to have a 56 min layover in Chipping Sodbury. That can't be right, surely?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Baxter is quite correct that the 376 has received new fleet every 6 years (on average) starting with the 1991 Lynxes (3610-6 H610-6YTC) and then the other batches mentioned. Of course, there are wider factors to consider plus route performance (and impact of WB etc) but to dismiss the precedent because they're 2009 isn't correct.

Ah fair games. I didn't know this was the case. To be fair I've only really come onto the Bristol scene in the last three or four years. Seems a bit odd to have new buses when the previous ones are just five years old. The 40 and 41 is operated by W-reg Tridents, so why has LH not had new vehicles for their routes?

As for the other point, you're not quite getting it. I did point out the 36 as an example where selected boards are deckers. Same as 319 though I confess I don't know why some 50/51/90 are deckers and some aren't.

However, the 6/7 is more complex than you appreciate. There are runs to/from Centre that are very busy. There are some less so that don't appear to need deckers BASED ON VIEWS IN THE CENTRE OR ST GEORGE. That fails to appreciate that there are two large educational establishments in Soundwell and Redfield so just because 6/7 aren't full in the Centre doesn't mean that deckers aren't needed elsewhere. That's why the 6/7 need deckers, AFAIK.

I do get it. I know how busy these services are; I don't need reminding. Are you saying that the 6/7 should be fully decker operated? If you do that's fine, I'm really not gonna bite your head off!

As for mentioning loadings outside of peaks being lower and not needing deckers, there's loads of examples so not sure what you're advocating?

To be fair I don't really understand what you're trying to say about the 6/7? All I was agreeing on was that at times the 6/7 doesn't always need deckers. It's like you say on the 70! Deckers aren't always needed on that route, and obviously there's a 31,000 student uni at the northern terminus of the route so surely that's a MILLION times bigger than Soundwell College. Going on that basis should the 70 require deckers? Try and word your argument carefully (not saying that to have a dig at you but I'm just struggling to see what exactly it is you're trying to say about the 6/7).

 

[THarris123]

In terms of the Wells depot receiving new buses, I think two options could happen:-
- They get 11 new buses for 376/173 (I did know it was 11 - not sure why I said 10?!) and 5-6 of the 59 plate Eclipses stay to replace the B10's. Darts will replace the rest. I'm pretty sure they will not get Streetlites - drivers don't want them down Wells and I get the feeling that the Streetlites are better off in the cities.
- They keep the 59 plate Eclipses and the 6635* range go from Bath to Wells to replace the B10's, etc.

I don't think anything else will happen.

Something will happen soon to Wells depot - 66100 spends everyday in the workshop (I saw it every evening last week in there), 66108 has basically had it, 66107 is falling to pieces. The only B10 that is left which is any good is 66160. 46603 has to go soon (but it is still keeping up shape), along with the Marshall. I think when the Streetlites come to Hengrove, Wells will see change.

It is quite right that Wells do seem to end up with new vehicles every 6 years or so, but I think they will extend that a year or so, due to all the replacements of DDA stuff.

Something else that I think could happen next year is Bath to get new streetlites, which will be based on the 14. Then the E200s/Darts would be cascaded elsewhere. The main reason why I say this is the S/R reg darts seem to be on there all the time, along with a few E200s.

I know the majority of you are going to tell me that I'm wrong, but I'm sure Wells won't get Streetlites and Bath will next year. That will then cascade some of the oldest DDA compliant vehicles into Wells. The 59 plate Eclipses will stay at the earliest until the beginning of 2016, but I suspect they will go on for longer.

Please can we move on now?

P.s. changed my mind on WM - they will get cascaded stuff.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I think Enviro 300s would be good for the 376, if Wells is due to receive any.

I also wonder if LH will receive new stuff. HE seems to have had some new Streetlites so why not LH?

 

[THarris123]

I think Enviro 300s would be good for the 376, if Wells is due to receive any.

I also wonder if LH will receive new stuff. HE seems to have had some new Streetlites so why not LH?

I think E300's would be good in Wells, but not on 376 - it needs something bulkier and more reliable with more seats.

LH are bound to (in my view) receive new buses. The deckers will probably be modified to be DDA compliant in the next year. The remaining Marshalls will go this year and the B10's, I expect, will be replaced directly next year - Streetlites would be best.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I think E300's would be good in Wells, but not on 376 - it needs something bulkier and more reliable with more seats.

Maybe not on the 376 but on perhaps the 161.

To be honest I don't really think the B7RLE's suit the 376, I think they are suited to other routes.

LH are bound to (in my view) receive new buses. The deckers will probably be modified to be DDA compliant in the next year. The remaining Marshalls will go this year and the B10's, I expect, will be replaced directly next year - Streetlites would be best.

Streetlites would be great. I was thinking more along the lines of deckers....

 

[windnoise69]

Passed muller road today and it looked like there were several alx400's

Any idea what ones?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Passed muller road today and it looked like there were several alx400's

Any idea what ones?

See this post. GrandWazoo passed there on Thursday.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ah fair games. I didn't know this was the case. To be fair I've only really come onto the Bristol scene in the last three or four years. Seems a bit odd to have new buses when the previous ones are just five years old. The 40 and 41 is operated by W-reg Tridents, so why has LH not had new vehicles for their routes?



I do get it. I know how busy these services are; I don't need reminding. Are you saying that the 6/7 should be fully decker operated? If you do that's fine, I'm really not gonna bite your head off!



To be fair I don't really understand what you're trying to say about the 6/7? All I was agreeing on was that at times the 6/7 doesn't always need deckers. It's like you say on the 70! Deckers aren't always needed on that route, and obviously there's a 31,000 student uni at the northern terminus of the route so surely that's a MILLION times bigger than Soundwell College. Going on that basis should the 70 require deckers? Try and word your argument carefully (not saying that to have a dig at you but I'm just struggling to see what exactly it is you're trying to say about the 6/7).

Just for the avoidance of doubt, the point is that 6/7 have major schools flows en route that FB service with deckers that, if you're sat in town, you don't see. FB know the figures and have elected to use deckers.

As for what dictates loadings on a particular route, just looking at population is naive. Working on that basis, the Newport to Bristol route would have 12 times as Wells to Bristol? We all know it's more complex than that so move on.
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Passed muller road today and it looked like there were several alx400's

Any idea what ones?

Looked like a President was also in there
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Maybe not on the 376 but on perhaps the 161.

To be honest I don't really think the B7RLE's suit the 376, I think they are suited to other routes.



Streetlites would be great. I was thinking more along the lines of deckers....

The 161?????? Is that a typo?

Looks like First have decided against e300s anyway. The way forward is Streetlites. That said, the B7RLE is probably the best heavyweight single deck in recent years and are great on the 376.
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I think E300's would be good in Wells, but not on 376 - it needs something bulkier and more reliable with more seats.

LH are bound to (in my view) receive new buses. The deckers will probably be modified to be DDA compliant in the next year. The remaining Marshalls will go this year and the B10's, I expect, will be replaced directly next year - Streetlites would be best.

Seats.... Eclipses have 43, e300 have 42. Streetlite Max have 41.

The way of the world in First is Streetlites as they're more fuel efficient. Having spent weeks travelling on various vehicles in various fleets, I can vouch that the Streetlite is miles better than the e200/e300 examples.

I don't know if LH will get new kit. 75/76 would be my main bet for new deckers (though 42-45 or 48/49 are also strong routes) but the single deck routes? LH don't have too many that are so strong to justify new fleet.
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In terms of the Wells depot receiving new buses, I think two options could happen:-
- They get 11 new buses for 376/173 (I did know it was 11 - not sure why I said 10?!) and 5-6 of the 59 plate Eclipses stay to replace the B10's. Darts will replace the rest. I'm pretty sure they will not get Streetlites - drivers don't want them down Wells and I get the feeling that the Streetlites are better off in the cities.
- They keep the 59 plate Eclipses and the 6635* range go from Bath to Wells to replace the B10's, etc.

I don't think anything else will happen.

It is quite right that Wells do seem to end up with new vehicles every 6 years or so, but I think they will extend that a year or so, due to all the replacements of DDA stuff.

Something else that I think could happen next year is Bath to get new streetlites, which will be based on the 14. Then the E200s/Darts would be cascaded elsewhere. The main reason why I say this is the S/R reg darts seem to be on there all the time, along with a few E200s.

I know the majority of you are going to tell me that I'm wrong, but I'm sure Wells won't get Streetlites and Bath will next year.

14 gets all sorts and the 09 e200s are regulars esp with the SPDs going but gets any Dart from 42643 to any 05 example

 

[Class 33]

I'd like to get a ride on one of those Enviro 300's soon. They look very nice. Saw one of them once at Cribbs Causeway on the X5. But not seen any of them on that service since(mind you I don't often see an X5 anyway), not sure if they're frequently used on there as it is mostly Enviro 400's. https://www.flickr.com/photos/neiljennings/14625792841/in/photolist-nNCbfW-ohr1E6-oDgWbT-ohpWi3

 

[DaveHarries]

Going by the name I guess that the StreetLites are designed for city routes, not rural ones, so I think StreetLites would be no good for the 376: surely the B7s currently used are the better vehicle for a route of this sort?

Not Enviro200 / Enviro300 though: not a great deal of legroom on those. If I ride one while I am at work I have to sit partly sideways.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

IMO StreetLites would be no good for the 376: surely the B7s currently used are the better vehicle for a route of this sort?

Dave

The B7RLEs are the best ones but heavyweight chassis are very out favour. Arriva haven't bought heavies for years and it is all about power to weight ratio.

First are using Streetlites on the Cymru Clipper services so they're not scared about using on interurban routes.

 

[freetoview33]

It's all money! And streetlites are cheaper to run so just expect more of them.

 

[THarris123]

Going by the name I guess that the StreetLites are designed for city routes, not rural ones, so I think StreetLites would be no good for the 376: surely the B7s currently used are the better vehicle for a route of this sort?

Not Enviro200 / Enviro300 though: not a great deal of legroom on those. If I ride one while I am at work I have to sit partly sideways.

Dave

I completely agree with this. I was on the 379 today from Bristol (very late due to all the traffic as well) and the Streetlite on there (47549) could only just make it up the hill. The 59 plate B7 on 376 was right in front of it going through Pensford and then going into Clutton 5 minutes in front. Streetlites are not designed for rural services - the same as Darts.

My personal favourites around this area are the 59 plate Eclipse/B7 buses, as I've grown up with them, but unfortunately I don't think they're right for the 376 or 173. The 379/178 maybe and 37/38 are good for them. Still not sure about the 265 - I would prefer if they actually went with there plan from last year with the 265 - put Optare Versas on this route. Reasons why the B7s aren't good enough for 376/173:-
- The windows - two tiny little windows
- They get overheated
- Too much computerised equipment on board - they're always breaking down from this (unlike the B10s)
- I've had drivers complaining to me that there aren't enough seats on there - but I think it's suitable enough

I don't know what they're going to put on these services, but it better be good. These appear to be flagship routes for our area - as they link heritage cities and Glastonbury.
Something I've thought would be good - the Merc that Somerbus have on 175 is the best thing around here. It goes up hills with ease, has plenty of seating and hardly ever breaks down. But as someone suggested before, they are very expensive, so wouldn't be viable.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I completely agree with this. I was on the 379 today from Bristol (very late due to all the traffic as well) and the Streetlite on there (47549) could only just make it up the hill. The 59 plate B7 on 376 was right in front of it going through Pensford and then going into Clutton 5 minutes in front. Streetlites are not designed for rural services - the same as Darts.

My personal favourites around this area are the 59 plate Eclipse/B7 buses, as I've grown up with them, but unfortunately I don't think they're right for the 376 or 173. The 379/178 maybe and 37/38 are good for them. Still not sure about the 265 - I would prefer if they actually went with there plan from last year with the 265 - put Optare Versas on this route. Reasons why the B7s aren't good enough for 376/173:-
- The windows - two tiny little windows
- They get overheated
- Too much computerised equipment on board - they're always breaking down from this (unlike the B10s)
- I've had drivers complaining to me that there aren't enough seats on there - but I think it's suitable enough

I don't know what they're going to put on these services, but it better be good. These appear to be flagship routes for our area - as they link heritage cities and Glastonbury.
Something I've thought would be good - the Merc that Somerbus have on 175 is the best thing around here. It goes up hills with ease, has plenty of seating and hardly ever breaks down. But as someone suggested before, they are very expensive, so wouldn't be viable.

I don't know where this Versa rumour came from but seeing as First didn't buy any other than a few hybrids, then consider it rubbish. Also, Versas are lightweight like a Streetlite and have a shocking reliability record.

As for B10BLEs, they've been excellent servants and will be missed. However, speak to operators and the B7RLE is very well regarded. Too much computerisation? Sorry, that's what you get on modern vehicles from buses to cars. Compared to a Bristol LH, a standard Dart is like the space shuttle and that advancement will continue.

One last mischievous question. There was a 10 minute swing between the Streetlite and the B7? Was the Streetlite picking up passengers? More importantly, with only 7 minutes between the two timing points, how did the B7 make up 10 mins?

That Somerbus Merc is lovely but it's a real citybus as the internal layout indicates. More importantly, it only works 10 hrs a day, 6 days a week. Run it like those WS Eclipses and then compare them! It has one more seat than an Eclipse though

 

[ValleyLines142]

Just for the avoidance of doubt, the point is that 6/7 have major schools flows en route that FB service with deckers that, if you're sat in town, you don't see. FB know the figures and have elected to use deckers.

Indeed. I know this!

As for what dictates loadings on a particular route, just looking at population is naive. Working on that basis, the Newport to Bristol route would have 12 times as Wells to Bristol? We all know it's more complex than that so move on.

It's nothing to do with the population of the places served, more the patronage of the services.

The 161?????? Is that a typo?

I don't know. All I know is that 46603 turns up on the 161 quite a bit so was thinking of newer kit for that route.

I don't know if LH will get new kit. 75/76 would be my main bet for new deckers (though 42-45 or 48/49 are also strong routes) but the single deck routes? LH don't have too many that are so strong to justify new fleet.

Agreed. The Darts that are on the 17/18/81/82 are still perfectly fine, and even MH's new Streetlites have straddled onto routes such as the X18.

I do think deckers will be next, but I don't know how long nor what route.

I'd like to get a ride on one of those Enviro 300's soon. They look very nice. Saw one of them once at Cribbs Causeway on the X5. But not seen any of them on that service since(mind you I don't often see an X5 anyway), not sure if they're frequently used on there as it is mostly Enviro 400's. https://www.flickr.com/photos/neiljennings/14625792841/in/photolist-nNCbfW-ohr1E6-oDgWbT-ohpWi3

67600 was on the X5 yesterday, working the 1441 from Cribbs Causeway.

 

[Class 33]

I did a full journey(well allmost, boarding at Pen Park Road top rather than the end of Charlton Road) on the 20 this afternoon. I was on the 1342 Southmead-Centre service. One person on there allready, and two boarding at the same stop as me. Other people boarded along the route in places such as Greystoke Avenue, Westbury High Street, Waters Lane, Eastfield Road, Wellington Hill West, Kellaway Avenue, Bishop Road, Kings Drive, Cheltenham Road, though no one boarded after that. Probably about 20 people boarded during this journey. At Arley Hill we passed the 1400 Centre-Southmead service which was hauled(!!) by a nice Marshall Dart. So this would have also later worked the 1530 Centre-Southmead service. Quite a nice journey down, and a pleasant change from getting a 75, 76, or 309 down Gloucester Road!! I was planning on getting a 20 back again, but in the end I couldn't be bothered as I had done my little bit of shopping by just after 1500 and would have just missed that service, and couldn't be bothered waiting about for the 1530 service. I will though do one more Northbound journey on the 20 within the next few weeks before the service is sadly axed.

And got a Northbound service on the way back today. The 1530 Centre-Southmead service. Was one of those Dart things. Passed the 1512 Southmead-Centre service at Zetland Road which was a Marshall Dart. Anyway there was probably about 15 people on this particular service, with other people(including some elderly people) boarding/alighting enroute at Zetland Road Junction, Kings Drive, Kellaway Avenue, Wellington Hill West, Eastfield Road, Westbury, and Southmead Greystoke Avenue. And some people enquiring to the driver about if it's true that this service will be finishing in a couple of weeks and about alternative services to get, I couldn't make out what the driver was saying in reply though.

Allthough it won't effect me, think it's sad the 20 is being axed and that no suitable alternatives really are available.

Take for example a journey from Kings Drive to the Centre post 31st August. Just a brief summary of the itinerarys suggested by TravelineSW.

Walk for about 13 minutes to Hatherley Road, Gloucester Road and catch a 73, 75, or 76 to Centre.

13 minutes is a bit of a walk really to get a bus into town. But for the elderly or people with mobility problems this could be a fair old walk indeed, taking about double or more that time just to get to a bus stop to get into town!

Walk for about 11 minutes to Westbury Park, Halsbury Road and catch a 72 to Centre.

As per my previous comment really.

Walk for about 5 minutes to Kellaway Avenue, Phoenix Grove and catch a Wessex 505 to Tyndalls Park, Queens Road. Then walk for about 11 minutes to Centre.

5 minutes walk to the nearest bus stop isn't so bad for fit and healthy people. A bit more of an inconvenience and would take a lit longer for the elderly or people with mobility problems though. But then once you get to Queens Road you've then got an 11 minute walk(or indeed longer for those not so fit and healthy) to the Centre! No other Wessex services go from there to the Centre do they? I think maybe Wessex could consider ammending the route to run via Park Row, The Haymarket, and Centre. Though this would add maybe about 15 minutes to the journey time between Queens Road and Long Ashton Park & Ride.

Anyway won't effect me personally. So I won't be joining in with any campaigns or anything for the 20 to be re-instated or suitable alternative services introduced. But I will watch with interest to see how the users of the 20 react to the service being axed in just 2 weeks time.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed. I know this!

It's nothing to do with the population of the places served, more the patronage of the services.



I don't know. All I know is that 46603 turns up on the 161 quite a bit so was thinking of newer kit for that route.



Agreed. The Darts that are on the 17/18/81/82 are still perfectly fine, and even MH's new Streetlites have straddled onto routes such as the X18.

I do think deckers will be next, but I don't know how long nor what route.



67600 was on the X5 yesterday, working the 1441 from Cribbs Causeway.

Originally Posted by TheGrandWazoo
Just for the avoidance of doubt, the point is that 6/7 have major schools flows en route that FB service with deckers that, if you're sat in town, you don't see. FB know the figures and have elected to use deckers.
Indeed. I know this!

If you know that, why say that you think it should be a mix of SD/DD? And how, if you've not been on the route/know that part of town?

As for new kit on 161, suggest you get a day ticket and travel on routes like the 161 and 376 so you can speak from experience. Do that and you'll see the 161 is ok between Wells and Shepton (though a lot of ENCTS) but with very light loadings onward to Frome. Hence why it only gets the oldest fleet.
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I'd like to get a ride on one of those Enviro 300's soon. They look very nice. Saw one of them once at Cribbs Causeway on the X5. But not seen any of them on that service since(mind you I don't often see an X5 anyway), not sure if they're frequently used on there as it is mostly Enviro 400's. https://www.flickr.com/photos/neiljennings/14625792841/in/photolist-nNCbfW-ohr1E6-oDgWbT-ohpWi3

Unique in the FSA fleet and, of course, the styling is that of the original Enviro. The later ones look like longer e200s.

They do look ok but they rattle a bit though the ride quality is better than the e200 but not a patch on an Eclipse/Solar or even a Pulsar or Streetlite. Been on some of the Glasgow ones and though they were ok.

If you want more like 67600, then Worcester is the place though why they didn't want that one, I don't know

 

[Goldfish62]

The first E400 has arrived at Camborne in exchange for a Trident being sent to Plymouth.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ps think 32950 is one of the other ALXs at Muller Road. Thought I could see W312 in the gloom on Thursday as the start of a reg but W132VLO might be it. Prefer the ALX to the President but still, bit of surprise to allocate 14 yr old non standard deckers to Bristol. They look tidy but who knows how they go....or not

 

[swifty]

I don't know where this Versa rumour came from but seeing as First didn't buy any other than a few hybrids, then consider it rubbish. Also, Versas are lightweight like a Streetlite and have a shocking reliability record.

Jeroen. They even had the Versa demo after it had finished over in Wales, presumably it didn't make much of an impression here?
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If you want more like 67600, then Worcester is the place though why they didn't want that one, I don't know

It's 12.7m long, one of the reasons why it originally left Bath in the first place. After Redditch was sold to Rotala, where 67600 had been used only on service 51, it was put into store in Hereford due to its length once again.
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I don't know. All I know is that 46603 turns up on the 161 quite a bit so was thinking of newer kit for that route.

There's a reason why it's often on the 161, most likely because it's fully deprecated kit, and allocating a brand new bus to the route would fail to cover its costs.

 

[CD]

I'd like to get a ride on one of those Enviro 300's soon. They look very nice. Saw one of them once at Cribbs Causeway on the X5. But not seen any of them on that service since(mind you I don't often see an X5 anyway), not sure if they're frequently used on there as it is mostly Enviro 400's. https://www.flickr.com/photos/neiljennings/14625792841/in/photolist-nNCbfW-ohr1E6-oDgWbT-ohpWi3

67600 is Weston-Super-Mare based.
Try Worcester there are plenty there.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Jeroen. They even had the Versa demo after it had finished over in Wales, presumably it didn't make much of an impression here?
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It's 12.7m long, one of the reasons why it originally left Bath in the first place. After Redditch was sold to Rotala, where 67600 had been used only on service 51, it was put into store in Hereford due to its length once again.
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There's a reason why it's often on the 161, most likely because it's fully deprecated kit, and allocating a brand new bus to the route would fail to cover its costs.

I remember the Versa demo but it was seemingly on the 231 and 178 most often. The rumour about them for the 265 seemed rather baseless.

I know that 67600 is a long machine but seemed odd that they couldn't use it in Worcester but perhaps it's something to do with tight turns round Malvern? I have no idea and strange for a modern and relatively standard (other than wheelbase) machine to be stored for a long time.

 

[swifty]

I remember the Versa demo but it was seemingly on the 231 and 178 most often. The rumour about them for the 265 seemed rather baseless.

I know that 67600 is a long machine but seemed odd that they couldn't use it in Worcester but perhaps it's something to do with tight turns round Malvern? I have no idea and strange for a modern and relatively standard (other than wheelbase) machine to be stored for a long time.

Jereon Weimar, then COO of UK Bus (and a Bath local), said himself that he was looking to put a batch of Versa on the 265. It all went a bit quiet and then he mysteriously left First and nothing materialised.

That's prescicley why it was stored, the only route suitable was the 51 in Redditch really.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Jereon Weimar, then COO of UK Bus (and a Bath local), said himself that he was looking to put a batch of Versa on the 265. It all went a bit quiet and then he mysteriously left First and nothing materialised.

That's prescicley why it was stored, the only route suitable was the 51 in Redditch really.

Jeroen said a number of things in respect of local services that turned out to be baseless. A number were totally contradicted by Simon Ford! The fact that they didn't buy any Versas except for York P&R Hybrids tells you what you need to know.

Anyhow, we're all getting caught up in next years deliveries and we've not even seen where all of this year's are heading