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

[swifty]

They fibbed

It's amazing how quiet they went about it after First openly said they wouldn't be using the toll!

 

[freetoview33]

Seems like buses are back to missing out parts of the tpute again.

 

[Class 33]

Seems like buses are back to missing out parts of the tpute again.

Eh??!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Eh??!

I think he means route..... although I don't know which one!

 

[freetoview33]

route yeah, the 76 coming back from Cribbs Causeway to Henbury missed ASDA out completely!

 

[Class 33]

route yeah, the 76 coming back from Cribbs Causeway to Henbury missed ASDA out completely!

I got the 76 this morning instead of the 75 to Cribbs Causeway. And surprisingly it went via ASDA which it's not scheduled to do so!

 

[freetoview33]

So the 311 is replaced by the 87 and the 207/224 is replaced by the 88, I imagine the 88 will be subsidised by GCC.

 

[Class 33]

Now that the 309 & 310 will be renumbered 78 & 79, I wonder if maybe the services will be upgraded to double deckers? As this renumbering to the 70 series will attract more passengers using it within Bristol. I expect it will probably remain single deckers though as it is. Though with the new 71 & 72 serving Gloucester Road, these services will help ease passenger volumes on the other services.

The new 87 & 88 sound interesting, in particular the 88 Bristol-Dursley. I'll have to get a ride on that one! Bit different from the old 87 & 88 I remember. 87 Filton Church(or Polytechnic(now UWE)-California Farm, and the 88 Southmead-Park Estate!

 

[freetoview33]

Well the last 88/89 was serving South Bristol until the 90 came along
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I'm amazed the 1 in Bristol has basically ran a similar route and run by the same company since about 1875, okay extensions out towards Henbury and Cribbs but still the core of the route is the same and the same number route!!

 

[vicbury]

Does anyone know what's happening to the 14? I can't see anything on Travel West or Traveline. I'm hoping for further improvements!

Also I saw someone use a mobile ticket last night and it appears they just had to show their phone to the driver. Surely it would be incredibly easy to mock-up an image of a ticket and show it to the driver?

 

[freetoview33]

With the mobile tickets there are certain features i think the main one being a clock.

 

[starrymarkb]

Does anyone know what's happening to the 14? I can't see anything on Travel West or Traveline. I'm hoping for further improvements!

Also I saw someone use a mobile ticket last night and it appears they just had to show their phone to the driver. Surely it would be incredibly easy to mock-up an image of a ticket and show it to the driver?

If the registrations just gone in it'll be a week or two before the NAPTAN database which feeds the various planners will be updated

Mobile tickets are usually animated and display the current date/time with counting seconds. It'll be very hard to mock one up

 

[vicbury]

If the registrations just gone in it'll be a week or two before the NAPTAN database which feeds the various planners will be updated

Mobile tickets are usually animated and display the current date/time with counting seconds. It'll be very hard to mock one up

Thanks I'll keep any eye on it, I presume Travel West will have to update their PDF of November service changes.

I can't imagine it would be hard to copy the animation etc? Surely a better system would be to use NFC with the ticket machine checking that a valid code is transmitted?

 

[freetoview33]

Well that is basically the touch card. But yes i agree that nfc on phones for m tickets would of been much better.

 

[Class 33]

What a refreshing change for my journey to Temple Meads and back yesterday! Instead of doing what I'd usually do and get a 75, 76, or 309 from Filton Road to Broadmead and then go round the corner and get an 8 or 9 onto Temple Meads, I got a 70 straight there. And a double decker too! During the journey I seen three Northbound 70's which were Gemini's as well. And two Northbound 71's which were Eclipse's. And on the return journey last night, I got another double decker Gemini 70. And during the journey I seen another two Gemini's on the 70 on Southbound services. And I'm sure I saw an Elcipse on a Southbound 71. There might have been a couple of double deckers on the 71 yesterday, not sure though as I didn't see any. Anyway, what a refreshing change, double deckers on the 70 via Ashley Down and St. Andrews to Temple Meads and return!

Service 70 has entered a FANTASTIC new era!!

At Temple Meads the 70 & 71 now picks up at the old set down only 70 stop, and not the 8 & 9 stop by the way.

Going into town a little later on today. Will board at Filton Avenue again and hopefully get a double decker on the 70 or 71. Though I get the feeling they might be Eclipse's only on Sundays, as it was last Sunday on their inaugural day of service. But maybe not, we shall see.

 

[freetoview33]

Wait until half 3 when the half marathon is over!

 

[South Westerly]

Thanks I'll keep any eye on it, I presume Travel West will have to update their PDF of November service changes.

I can't imagine it would be hard to copy the animation etc?

Every day would have to gain sight of and replicate the highly animated 'code of the day'. Bar coding is likely to follow too. First aren't as complacent as you suggest with their revenue.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Is it me or is the 38/39/X39 just awfully unreliable? The 2108 Temple Meads to Bath (38) failed to show up yesterday, despite me waiting nearly half an hour for it! Not impressed!

 

[freetoview33]

Double Decker on the 71 today

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Double Decker on the 71 today

At the risk of upsetting anyone, and I'm not wanting to, but this is beginning to run the risk of a daily update of what's on the 70/1.

Don't get me wrong. Given the frequency increase, the change to DD was interesting and surprising and whilst things have been settling down, the reports have been worthwhile. However, perhaps share that info on the dedicated thread going forward?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Is it me or is the 38/39/X39 just awfully unreliable? The 2108 Temple Meads to Bath (38) failed to show up yesterday, despite me waiting nearly half an hour for it! Not impressed!

I think it's you!!! No, and seriously, I've never had a problem with the evening services though daytimes can be all over the place. Not an issue with X39 as they're frequent enough not to need a timetable but a hassle with the 38. Perhaps you were just unlucky to have a breakdown?

 

[swifty]

At Temple Meads the 70 & 71 now picks up at the old set down only 70 stop, and not the 8 & 9 stop by the way.

When I went past early yesterday morning there were no less than 9 buses on stand at TM, with buses even on layover in the first turning area. There was a 70 decker parked in the approach road, I can see it will now get quite congested there at certain times.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Anyone seen those quality Tridents hit the road yet or are they still being prepared for service?

Also, has anyone worked out the increase in PVR with the new 83,87,88 and associated changes yet? Will the R reg B10BLEs ever get withdrawn?

With the 309/10 becoming 78/79, what odds that the 319, 379 and 376 will get renumbered soon? I think it will happen but to what? The 376 may be a longstanding number but so was the 332 so I think it'll disappear.

 

[Private Baxter]

Is it me or is the 38/39/X39 just awfully unreliable? The 2108 Temple Meads to Bath (38) failed to show up yesterday, despite me waiting nearly half an hour for it! Not impressed!

There have been a few instances recently where an evening jpourney has either been really late, or not show up at all, but on the whole it is usually an excellent service. (Although I try always try and avoid the 38!)

Also, has anyone worked out the increase in PVR with the new 83,87,88 and associated changes yet? Will the R reg B10BLEs ever get withdrawn?

With the 309/10 becoming 78/79, what odds that the 319, 379 and 376 will get renumbered soon? I think it will happen but to what? The 376 may be a longstanding number but so was the 332 so I think it'll disappear.

I think the 319 will be renumbered at some point, and also 379, which is now one of the most outplaced of all the service numbers. As I have suggested before, it should have an X prefix, to compliment the 178.

The 376 will be the last to go, in my opinion, if it ever does. Unlike the 332 which I considered a secondary service, the 376 is one of their flagship services and so well established and memorable I don't think it will be in First's interest to renumber it. Besides, it workds alongside the 375/7 in Wells and they are less likely to be changed. But I'm happy to be proved wrong!

Oh, and the R reg B10s - hopefully not.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think the 319 will be renumbered at some point, and also 379, which is now one of the most outplaced of all the service numbers. As I have suggested before, it should have an X prefix, to compliment the 178.

The 376 will be the last to go, in my opinion, if it ever does. Unlike the 332 which I considered a secondary service, the 376 is one of their flagship services and so well established and memorable I don't think it will be in First's interest to renumber it. Besides, it workds alongside the 375/7 in Wells and they are less likely to be changed. But I'm happy to be proved wrong!

Oh, and the R reg B10s - hopefully not.

I agree the 376 will be the last to go but go I think it will. It will be a real anachronism and expect the number to sit within the city series (Bristol not Wells!) though what it could be, I don't know.

I'm not a fan of renumbering services for anally retentive tidiness but if there's a decent reason, then so be it. Also, I'm not convinced of the 376 "brand" - the same thing was said of the 723 Darlington - Durham - Newcastle. It's now split and is Sapphire 7/Angel 21 and I doubt many remember the historic 723.

And of course, the 375 and 377 aren't that longstanding. I remember them as 163 and 376.

 

[THarris123]

I think it's you!!! No, and seriously, I've never had a problem with the evening services though daytimes can be all over the place. Not an issue with X39 as they're frequent enough not to need a timetable but a hassle with the 38. Perhaps you were just unlucky to have a breakdown?

I've always had problems with the X39/38/39. This is usually in the evening or at peak evening (or on Saturdays). They're always late leaving Bath, but do sometimes get into Bristol on time, so it's not all bad.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I've always had problems with the X39/38/39. This is usually in the evening or at peak evening (or on Saturdays). They're always late leaving Bath, but do sometimes get into Bristol on time, so it's not all bad.

I must be lucky. The only issue I had was a late 38 being on the wrong stand in Bristol BS and no one noticing until it then left empty!

 

[THarris123]

I agree the 376 will be the last to go but go I think it will. It will be a real anachronism and expect the number to sit within the city series (Bristol not Wells!) though what it could be, I don't know.

I'm not a fan of renumbering services for anally retentive tidiness but if there's a decent reason, then so be it. Also, I'm not convinced of the 376 "brand" - the same thing was said of the 723 Darlington - Durham - Newcastle. It's now split and is Sapphire 7/Angel 21 and I doubt many remember the historic 723.

And of course, the 375 and 377 aren't that longstanding. I remember them as 163 and 376.

I think the Private Baxter is right in saying that the 376 is a flagship brand. However, (unfortunately) the service is bound to be renumbered, along with the 377 and 375. These are bound to be last to go and I think something will happen when these services get a fresh new set of buses (probably a year or two). Lord knows what they will change them to.

I absolutely hate the idea of renumbering all these services - it really doesn't help tourists and non-regular passengers (as many come back to Glastonbury/Wells once a year or so - so could get very confused). I think renumbering the 309/310 is a bad idea, as there seems to be quite a loyal passenger base (much like 376).

The 379 should have been renumbered back in 2012, when the service stopped going to Shepton. I agree in that it is quite odd, however, I don't agree in renaming it as an X service like PrivateBaxter said. Perhaps the 176 would be sufficient. I've always been of the opinion that if there was going to be an X version of the 178, it should go along the peasedown bypass, and possibly even miss out certain stops (possibly even Radstock town hall?). I don't think there would be demand for this anyway.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think the Private Baxter is right in saying that the 376 is a flagship brand. However, (unfortunately) the service is bound to be renumbered, along with the 377 and 375. These are bound to be last to go and I think something will happen when these services get a fresh new set of buses (probably a year or two). Lord knows what they will change them to.

I absolutely hate the idea of renumbering all these services - it really doesn't help tourists and non-regular passengers (as many come back to Glastonbury/Wells once a year or so - so could get very confused). I think renumbering the 309/310 is a bad idea, as there seems to be quite a loyal passenger base (much like 376).

The 379 should have been renumbered back in 2012, when the service stopped going to Shepton. I agree in that it is quite odd, however, I don't agree in renaming it as an X service like PrivateBaxter said. Perhaps the 176 would be sufficient. I've always been of the opinion that if there was going to be an X version of the 178, it should go along the peasedown bypass, and possibly even miss out certain stops (possibly even Radstock town hall?). I don't think there would be demand for this anyway.

Like I say, I can point out a number of services that seem to be a long standing brand but they get renumbered and after a year or two, people forget it was ever there. I mean, ask a punter on the X7 what the service number is and they'll say X7. Will they remember X14? And what of the historic 301? I think 376 resonates much more with enthusiasts than passengers.

The problem with renumbering services is actually around the wealth of other organisations who then have to (or don't) change their collateral. Things like hospitals/medical centres or tourist attractions who have the wrong service information on their "how to get to us" stuff especially the printed literature.

The 379 perhaps should've been renumbered when extended to Bath as a 1** service. If they do renumber services 178/379, will they join the other Bath to Bristol services (33 and 34?) in the thirties? Who knows?

 

[THarris123]

The problem with renumbering services is actually around the wealth of other organisations who then have to (or don't) change their collateral. Things like hospitals/medical centres or tourist attractions who have the wrong service information on their "how to get to us" stuff especially the printed literature.

Being a bus enthusiast, I didn't think of that one at all! It seems so obvious! But at least now I have a proper reason to hate the renumbering. Thanks.

 

[swifty]

There have been a few instances recently where an evening jpourney has either been really late, or not show up at all, but on the whole it is usually an excellent service. (Although I try always try and avoid the 38!)

Related to the 38, I've had a few problems with the 37 in past weeks where an evening service hasn't run. Apparently it was due to 'a temporary staffing issuing' which meant 'adjusting the service'.