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

[ValleyLines142]

Known locally as Shabby Wood!!!

There's a few SPDs on the front row with 40534 - at this rate, they'll be getting put back in service!! I think it's 41721 that you saw; 41727 was working the 17 the other night! Think 41389 was beyond economic repair.

It may well have been. I honestly thought I saw one of those on the 82 a few weeks ago! They haven't been in Bristol that long really.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It may well have been. I honestly thought I saw one of those on the 82 a few weeks ago! They haven't been in Bristol that long really.

One never even entered service!

 

[Colly405]

... and the 7 is extended to Mangotsfield as a clockwise circular from Staple Hill, on the current 533 route.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

... and the 7 is extended to Mangotsfield as a clockwise circular from Staple Hill, on the current 533 route.

Hmmm....they're really looking at sticking it to Wessex. I wonder what on earth will appear next.... 20A/C in Bath?

 

[freetoview33]

I'm actually amazed. I will have a better look later on. See nothing would surprise me anymore.
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How about an X520 Westbury to the Centre?

 

[g4mby]

So the November changes are on Traveline...
82 extended to Wotton under Edge (?!)

It seems that the 82 will offer a quicker journey between Yate/Chipping Sodbury and Wotton-under-Edge than Wessex's 84/86 services as the 82 will not serve many of the smaller villages that are off the direct route. The timetable looks interesting. Some nice early and late journeys that might well appeal to the residents of Wotton-under-Edge.

I now wonder how this will affect Wessex's remaining Yate and Chipping Sodbury operations.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm actually amazed. I will have a better look later on. See nothing would surprise me anymore.
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How about an X520 Westbury to the Centre?

This does begin to feel like my morning tea was spiked with a powerful drug (other than caffeine)

I'm beginning to wonder if First will register a 79 from Marshfield to Bath to deny Rotala any revenue. All this is in stark contrast with elsewhere in FSA where Crosville and Faresaver cheerfully keep registering new stuff....

Hmmm.... next spring might be a time for some interesting trips out into the hills.

 

[freetoview33]

Personally I'm really happy about the 41. Guess next year that will be to Cribbs Causeway at all times too. I have come up with some more ideas about uwe services that would be good.

 

[Class 33]

Good grief! More service improvements/extensions announced today! I will comment about those later on.

In the meantime I will mention about my bus trip to town today on the 72 and returning on the 71. From Cribbs Causeway I got the 319 to UWE, so that I could catch the new 72 all the way to the Centre. When the 319 arrived into UWE and I departed I could see the 72 allready in and loading passengers and about to depart. So I got on that swiftly with no waiting about involved. I could see there was an Eclipse on the 71 just in front. When the 72 departed and just leaving the UWE grounds I could see a Northbound 71 which was a Gemini. At last I could see for myself that double deckers really are on the 70 & 71! This is REAL and not a dream!

Anyway as the 72 continued it's journey onwards I thought to myself "Eh??!! This isn't going via the Romney Avenue Bus Link and Lockleaze route it's supposed to be routed along!!! Why's it going this way??!!". It was going via Filton McDonalds and onto Filton Avenue and Gloucester Road. I was looking forward to the journey on the Romney Avenue Bus Link and Lockleaze. Why did it not go via this route this afternoon? There must have been some accident or something or other for it to be diverted via Filton Avenue. Bit disappointed about that. But there is always another time I can get a journey along that part of the 72 route. As for other vehicles I spotted on the Northbound 72's, well all of them were Gemini double deckers! No single deckers atall on the 72 today!

After being in town for a bit meeting a female friend, I returned home just now. I waited at The Haymarket for a 70 or 71. The first 71 that turned up was a bloody Eclipse! As you can guess I did not get on that! I could see on the next bus display thing that another 71 would be due in just another 4 minutes! And a 70 due in just another 8 minutes. So I waited on for the next 71(or the 70 if that overtook that particular 71). Anyway, a 71 turned up and it was a Gemini double decker. I got on that! Again I thought "This is real. And not a dream!". Plenty of seating available on that, about 5 people downstairs and only a few people upstairs! Shortly after departure from The Haymarket I could see the previous 71 just in front for most of the journey! But shortly before the Filton Avenue turn off we then overtook it! And arrived at my stop along Filton Avenue an estimated 2 or 3 minutes in front!

I'm very very impressed with the new service improvments - the new 71, 72, and X74. And the fact that the 70(and it's new sister service, the 71) now has some double deckers in use. No more bloody over-crowded claustraphobic single deckers on the 70 anymore!

 

[freetoview33]

Also can't see any info for 178/379 from 1st November

 

[Private Baxter]

So the November changes are on Traveline...
82 extended to Wotton under Edge (?!)
83 is the extension of the short 81s to Thornbury via Brook Way and Hortham, and taking the current 17 route through Hillfields & Fishponds
17 diverted via Cock Rd (daytimes) and Staple Hill
24 is now coming into Southmead Hospital via Dorian, calling at the Brunel stop and terminating at Dorian outbound...
41 extended to Crow Lane.
40A withdrawn, replaced by hourly 40 and hourly 41 extended back to Cribbs
6/7 operating via Nelson St

This is getting silly. There are also changes to the 37, 319, 42-45, 309-311, 178/379 and X6.
The new timetable for the 309/310 on Traveline shows in the small print the services as 78 and 79...

And I've stumbled upon a new First 88, Bristol = M32(?) = Falfield = Berkeley = Sharpness = Dursley. 5 journeys each way M-F, 3 on Sats. One jounrey looks to be replacing the 224, but not the Filton College bit...

And an 87. Cribbs = Thornbury = WottonUE = Dursley, every 2 hours (the old 311 and 622?)

Interesting no one has picked up on the re-numbering of 309/310. Hardly surprised about this, as it's been on the cards for a while. Just seems a bit out of place now. Wonder what that means for the remainding 300 series numbers.

However there goes my idea of seeng the 178/379 renumbered 78/X78!

 

[freetoview33]

376 would be better as 176
and 379 as 177

 

[Class 33]

The new timetable for the 309/310 on Traveline shows in the small print the services as 78 and 79...

Just appears to be re-numbered 78 and 79. And the timetable/journey times exactly the same. And no service frequency increase. I thought they'd be renumbered from the old 300 series service numbers before too long. However I'm glad they've gone with renumbering them 78 and 79 and NOT 77 and 78(which some people here thought they might have gone with). As it does leave vacancy in the service numbering for the old(or a new) service 77 to(or via) Henbury via the more direct route straight up Pen Park Road(rather than the fiddling about going all through Southmead the 76 does) to be POSSIBLY re-instated/introduced in the near future! I really don't think that will happen though, but you never know, First Bristol might surprise us again with the service changes planned for 2015!
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......................

Can't find any info about the 319 after 1st November on Traveline. The current timetable runs only till 1st November. And if you do a search for journeys along the current 319 route, no 319, nor a new re-numbered replacement service is listed! Is the 319 being axed? Or maybe Traveline doesn't have the ammended 319 or new service programmed into it's database yet. PROBABLY the latter.

 

[THarris123]

I wonder what the changes are to the 178/379?

I would assume that it'll be some minor thing in the evening to replace the Wessex stuff. I'd assume that the 179 Wessex stuff will be replaced by First?

 

[Private Baxter]

376 would be better as 176
and 379 as 177

Why do you say that? I think the 376 will be the survivor, and will not be changed. It's such a familiar route number, plus it works well in Wells along side the 375 and 377.

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Can't find any info about the 319 after 1st November on Traveline. The current timetable runs only till 1st November. And if you do a search for journeys along the current 319 route, no 319, nor a new re-numbered replacement service is listed! Is the 319 being axed? Or maybe Traveline doesn't have the ammended 319 or new service programmed into it's database yet. PROBABLY the latter.

It could be associated with the reopening of the road through Kelston, which would explain why the 37 is included, although I realise November might be a bit early for it, so we must see. Either way they would only have to change the timetable again soon after anyway.

I wonder what the changes are to the 178/379?

I would assume that it'll be some minor thing in the evening to replace the Wessex stuff. I'd assume that the 179 Wessex stuff will be replaced by First?

You're rpobably right. Maybe some evening jouneys will be numbered 379.

 

[Class 33]

In the meantime I will mention about my bus trip to town today on the 72 and returning on the 71. From Cribbs Causeway I got the 319 to UWE, so that I could catch the new 72 all the way to the Centre. When the 319 arrived into UWE and I departed I could see the 72 allready in and loading passengers and about to depart. So I got on that swiftly with no waiting about involved. I could see there was an Eclipse on the 71 just in front. When the 72 departed and just leaving the UWE grounds I could see a Northbound 71 which was a Gemini. At last I could see for myself that double deckers really are on the 70 & 71! This is REAL and not a dream!

Anyway as the 72 continued it's journey onwards I thought to myself "Eh??!! This isn't going via the Romney Avenue Bus Link and Lockleaze route it's supposed to be routed along!!! Why's it going this way??!!". It was going via Filton McDonalds and onto Filton Avenue and Gloucester Road. I was looking forward to the journey on the Romney Avenue Bus Link and Lockleaze. Why did it not go via this route this afternoon? There must have been some accident or something or other for it to be diverted via Filton Avenue. Bit disappointed about that. But there is always another time I can get a journey along that part of the 72 route.

Upon checking the detailed all stops timetable of the 72 on TravelineSW, it appears the 72 is in fact routed to run via Filton McDonalds and along Filton Avenue. That's weird. As I could have sworn I read it was supposed to be routed via Romney Avenue Bus Link and Lockleaze!! No I couldn't have dreamt that, as it says that here http://www.bristolbususers.co.uk/news/changes-to-buses-in-bristol-and-surrounding-area-from-31814/

*** NEW *** Service 72 (Centre – UWE):
· This brand new service will begin on 14 September.
· It will provide links between the city centre and UWE (Frenchay Campus) operating via Park Street, Whiteladies Road, Coldharbour Road, Cranbrook Road, Gloucester Road, Lockleaze Road, Constable Road and the Romney Avenue Bus Link.
· It will run up to every 20 minutes Monday to Friday daytime and up to every 30 minutes on Saturday daytimes.
· The introduction of this service responds to customer requests and means that there will be direct link between Whiteladies Road and Gloucester Road
· The introduction of this new route also offers people living in Lockleaze an improved service: the route has been designed to take into account the needs, and requests, of residents of Constable Road for improved services, while other people in and around that area will benefit from direct links to UWE (Frenchay Campus), Gloucester Road and Whiteladies Road.

Weird! I wonder why they decided to change the route to run via Filton Avenue instead?

And I'm pretty sure I saw a Southbound 72 this evening, and on the scrolling part of the destination display that it said Via Lockleaze!

 

[freetoview33]

Does the 12 run via lockleaze at the moment? Otherwise it might just be the bus link is not yet open.

 

[swifty]

17 diverted via Cock Rd (daytimes) and Staple Hill
6/7 operating via Nelson St

The 17 will be a bit of a round the houses route now. Heading straight along the A432 to Staple Hill and then following the 319 route to Hillfields before heading off round there and back to Cosham. The timetable seems a bit optimistic for the Kingswood diversion. Currently 2 minutes from Court Road to Mount Hill Road junctions, and will be 2 minutes to go via Courtney Road, Weston's Road and back along Cock Road to the Mount Hill Road/Hanham Road junction!!

More interestingly the 6/7 will now follow the same route as the 42-5 from the Centre stopping at Primark and Topshop.

This is getting silly. There are also changes to the 37, 319, 42-45, 309-311, 178/379 and X6.

I can't see anything for the 37/319 post November, although I can't see the road being open by then so I doubt that'll be anything to do with it! The 42-45 changes seem to be minor again
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... and the 7 is extended to Mangotsfield as a clockwise circular from Staple Hill, on the current 533 route.

The 533 seems to be a 'target' from some of these changes, you've got the 17 now running along the Court Road/Weston's Way section of route to/from Keynsham, Kingswood & Longwell Green now as well.
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Upon checking the detailed all stops timetable of the 72 on TravelineSW, it appears the 72 is in fact routed to run via Filton McDonalds and along Filton Avenue. That's weird. As I could have sworn I read it was supposed to be routed via Romney Avenue Bus Link and Lockleaze!!

I thought that too when Dan said he'd got the 72 at McDonalds, the leaflet on the First website shows the bus link on the route map. Then I remembered a short notice change for the 72 route had gone through the other day (for the start of service) so they've obviously changed it. AFAIK the Wessex services are going that way, and they show on the Romney Ave real time stops.
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I'm assuming these changes are likely to have been planned and agreed pre James Freeman so it will be interesting to see what changes he brings once he's settled in.

 

[freetoview33]

I'm amazed they have kept the X74 branded buses on the the X74! Although hopefully it might end up like Reading Buses

 

[stait.john]

32279 on 70/71 Tuesday, sadly damaged at Whitby Road low bridge whilst on the 36 on Wednesday. Hengrove's only ALX400 too. Hopefully will be repaired particularly with the need for extra deckers.

Just to advise, the 72 service is diverted via Filton Avenue, A4174 and Coldharbour Lanr into UWE until the Romney Avenue bus link Is completed. So reliability may not be great to start with as it takes longer to operate that way.

The plan is to redeploy the Hengrove Eclipses (69449-56/59/60, 69435/6) on to the 50/51.

John

 

[freetoview33]

So they have gone back on the deckers for the 50/51 idea then! But wonder who actually triggered the massive U-turn on the 70!
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Also wouldn't be surprised if we see something along the lines of a 620 service from First and such like!

To be honest I am speechless by what has happened over the last year or 2 (Which seems to be speeding up) First of all we had the 76 to Cribbs, which at the time we thought was odd but now that looks like nothing in comparison. Just seems a shame that whilst Bristol and Taunton are gaining, Weston and Bath are going the other way, which is a shame.

Lets just see how long this "new first" can last for and if they will go after CMS and Faresaver!

One last thing about these Bristol changes, where the heck are these extra buses coming from and where will they be based at this rate Hengrove will be full before long and LH/MH overspilling into other yards nearby. I honestly am starting to wonder if we might see MR brought back into some kind of use (other than a scrapyard) or dare I suggest the idea I had of a Patchway depot? All I think I can say is anything that happens now won't amaze us!

Also thanks for apologising earlier tgw! Must of been hard to admit I had a point about the 224

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So they have gone back on the deckers for the 50/51 idea then! But wonder who actually triggered the massive U-turn on the 70!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also wouldn't be surprised if we see something along the lines of a 620 service from First and such like!

To be honest I am speechless by what has happened over the last year or 2 (Which seems to be speeding up) First of all we had the 76 to Cribbs, which at the time we thought was odd but now that looks like nothing in comparison. Just seems a shame that whilst Bristol and Taunton are gaining, Weston and Bath are going the other way, which is a shame.

Lets just see how long this "new first" can last for and if they will go after CMS and Faresaver!

One last thing about these Bristol changes, where the heck are these extra buses coming from and where will they be based at this rate Hengrove will be full before long and LH/MH overspilling into other yards nearby. I honestly am starting to wonder if we might see MR brought back into some kind of use (other than a scrapyard) or dare I suggest the idea I had of a Patchway depot? All I think I can say is anything that happens now won't amaze us!

Also thanks for apologising earlier tgw! Must of been hard to admit I had a point about the 224

To be absolutely fair, I did also think yesterday about the depot space issue. I did say at the time that the only way you'd open a new site was if space ran out at LH and HE. Well, one wonders how close that is getting?

I still think that either a re opening of the LH annex or MR is more likely than a brand new site although I'm prepared to believe anything now!! Pleased to be wrong about the 224 (although still pleased I did the 224/311 combo) and no worries about you being right on it. Now just waiting for 39133-41 to be allocated to WS for the 376 whilst the 161 increases to 30 mins across the route

I am not certain about the viability of the 88; wonder if GCC are supporting it other than the peak journeys. To think they were going to withdraw the 311 a year ago... I'm really surprised that the 78/79 hasn't got a frequency increase too but then this does look a bit of a Wessex bashing.

Where are all the drivers going to come from for these? Also, rather than seeing non DDA fleet disappear, seems like more keeps arriving, so what else for these services.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I also thought the same thing. With the 70/71/72 being about 70% deckers, it has led to a few single deckers on the 75/76. 69459 was on the 76 on Wednesday and 47453 and 42733 were on the 90, so there's more singles appearing on this route.

 

[Colly405]

So the November changes that we saw yesterday are on TravelWest, that's impressive.

TravelWest confirms that the 37/319 return to their normal route. Also worth noting that the 41 extension from Avonmouth goes via Avonmouth Industrial Estate and Kings Weston Lane rather than back towards Shire (which explains the lack of stops between Avonmouth and Long Cross on Traveline, which I presume will change in due course).

 

[matt_splat]

178 changes are evening services added 179 will be running to writhlington in the evenings.

also a later 379 from Bristol to Bath

also I believe Theres a route change to the 14

I wonder if the 37/319 will use the toll road?

 

[freetoview33]

I think it is going to be like the 72 the timetables changing before the road is open. In anticipation that it will open a few weeks later.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

178 changes are evening services added 179 will be running to writhlington in the evenings.

also a later 379 from Bristol to Bath

also I believe Theres a route change to the 14

I wonder if the 37/319 will use the toll road?

There's a 3.5t limit on the toll road so assuming that they've made good time with the repairs

And Writhlington gets an evening service.....imagine the same number of passengers as a Sunday!

 

[swifty]

There's a 3.5t limit on the toll road so assuming that they've made good time with the repairs

And Writhlington gets an evening service.....imagine the same number of passengers as a Sunday!

But before it opened they were openly telling people First would be using the toll with single decks only being used.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

But before it opened they were openly telling people First would be using the toll with single decks only being used.

They fibbed

 

[freetoview33]

I'm surprised about the new Dursley services with them being express down the M32.