TrawsCambria / TrawsCymru

[Rhydgaled]

http://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/13370925.New_fleet_of_buses__vital_to_the_local_community_/

5 new buses, or are they mentioning the '4' already in use?

The MetroCity pictured is certainly one of the existing fleet, and there's a CardiBach vehicle next to it so maybe they are counting the CardiBach as well as the 4 TrawsCymru MetroCities.

The article also says: "This latest fleet takes the total of new vehicles introduced across Wales to 15." I can't figure out where the value 15 comes from. If by 'new' they mean 2015 registrations of TrawsCymru vehicles then surely it is only 8 (4 MetroCities for T5 and 4 Envrios for T3), or if there really is another 5 new buses coming to T5 in addition to the 4 MetroCities then 13. New buses purchased for TrawsCymru services since its inception is 14 (6 Tempos + 4 MetroCities + 4 Enviros). In that case its only one short so perhaps YR14HLU was new for the T3? Or maybe a fifth MetroCity has been ordered for the T5? The overall size of the TrawsCymru fleet must be quite large now, there are at least 12 vehicles in the T5 livery alone.

 

[WelshBuses93]

All I know is that the OmniLink at GHA is due for a re-livery and transfer, leaving the T3 Enviro operated with a 5th bus been a Dart or a Cadet (for the 16:00 Wrexham-Barmouth and 19:05 Barmouth-Wrexham services). The article just said 5 more fuel efficient buses, so I'm not sure to be honest. YR14HLU spent some time on other GHA routes before receiving TrawsCymru livery in December. The Enviro's were invested by GHA Coaches themselves. There was more than 14 vehicles, you also have 6 Tempo's operating service T9 and 5 Enviro's on service T1 but only re-liveried. It just leaves service T2 to receive branded vehicles.

 

[Rhydgaled]

There was more than 14 vehicles, you also have 6 Tempo's operating service T9 and 5 Enviro's on service T1 but only re-liveried.

You're right, it should be 20 new vehicles for TrawsCymru (12 Tempos + 4 MetroCities + 4 Enviros). I'm not counting the T1 Enviros because they weren't ordered for the T1, they existed before it.

Wonder why some routes have a spare bus (or several in the case of T5 it would seem) while others (T1 and T3) have the number of branded vehicles equal to the Peak Vehicle Requirement (perhaps even one short in the case of T3 if YR14HLU isn't being replaced by a different branded vehicle). Perhaps it is something to do with whether the Welsh Government supplies the vehicles (the T1 and T3 are of course the ones with no WAG vehicles).

 

[WelshBuses93]

I'm not sure if YR14HLU is been replaced to be honest. Seem strange to remove the vehicle from the route despite been liveried for the service. T3 will use the 4 vehicles on main duties and the 5th will just be a standard GHA vehicle for 1 return trip to Barmouth.

Only vehicle on T2 with branding is Solo S1EMS (has TrawsCymru logo on the windscreen) and CX64EMS has yet to receive any livery yet nor CY64EMS.

Does seem to wonder why there are a few spares for route T5 when you have 4 MetroCity's, 4 VDL SB200's and 4 Optare Tempo's, correct me if I'm wrong as I'm unsure of the PVR for T5.

 

[adey2011]

I'm not sure if YR14HLU is been replaced to be honest. Seem strange to remove the vehicle from the route despite been liveried for the service. T3 will use the 4 vehicles on main duties and the 5th will just be a standard GHA vehicle for 1 return trip to Barmouth.

Only vehicle on T2 with branding is Solo S1EMS (has TrawsCymru logo on the windscreen) and CX64EMS has yet to receive any livery yet nor CY64EMS.

Does seem to wonder why there are a few spares for route T5 when you have 4 MetroCity's, 4 VDL SB200's and 4 Optare Tempo's, correct me if I'm wrong as I'm unsure of the PVR for T5.

The T2 service is again up for re-tender and the question of livery could well be a part of securing the service by Express and Lloyds if the contract is for more than the previous one year deal. If that is the case it would mean both companies either buying new vehicles or repainting two each of their current fleet.

 

[WelshBuses93]

It will most probably stay with Express and Lloyds as the drivers have just received new TC uniforms. Could be a possibility they could purchase new, although they would have to be the same type of vehicle for both operators e.g Enviro300 or Optare MetroCity/ Tempo/ Tempo SR.

 

[Rhydgaled]

It will most probably stay with Express and Lloyds as the drivers have just received new TC uniforms. Could be a possibility they could purchase new, although they would have to be the same type of vehicle for both operators e.g Enviro300 or Optare MetroCity/ Tempo/ Tempo SR.

Why would the vehicles have to be the same? Apart from T4 and T9, all the current routes have multiple types of bus in use (in fact you could argue that the various different Tempo specs on T4 and T9 are also different types of bus).

Does seem to wonder why there are a few spares for route T5 when you have 4 MetroCity's, 4 VDL SB200's and 4 Optare Tempo's, correct me if I'm wrong as I'm unsure of the PVR for T5.

Is there anybody who knows the PVR for T5? It is such a mixed bag it is hard to figure out what's what when you consider that the branded vehicles are probably used on some of the 'X50' short workings between Aberaeron and Cardigan as well as T5 workings. Also, there are some workings which don't appear to have a balancing working, where the vehicle presumably runs empty to wherever it needs to be next.

As far as I've been able to make out from the timetable, I think however that the PVR is of the order of 9-10 vehicles, although there are some trips (eg. 07:10 Newport to Haverfordwest) which the timetable advertises as 'T5' workings but I'm guessing are actually working by unbranded vehicles. In the case of the 07:10, I believe this is a positioning move for a vehicle which works the 411 service (St. Davids - Haverfordwest) for the rest of the day.

 

[Bwsbro]

once again i am attaching the ITT for the new TrawsCymru T2 tender. Ive have had these for a long time but keep forgetting to put up

Not much changes on Timetable Side, with the contract lasting for 5 years from November. Hopefully no issues this time round.

 

[WelshBuses93]

Double decker option also, that's new!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Bryans Coaches are to discontinue their service 750 at the end of August.

 

[adey2011]

Double decker option also, that's new!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Bryans Coaches are to discontinue their service 750 at the end of August.

Will Bryans Coaches replace the 750 with another 701 service?

 

[WelshBuses93]

I'm not sure I'm afraid. Perhaps it will remain with service 701 07:40, 09:40 from Aber and 14:00, 16:00 from Cardiff Bay.

 

[Bwsbro]

T1
Next Stop Annoucnements are due soon on this service

T2
T2 tenders close tomorrow (31st July) with services commencing November 2015

T3
GHA Has been involved in another incident, this time in Barmouth, injuring one passenger. See http://www.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/pensioner-taken-hospital-after-barmouth-9762567

 

[WelshBuses93]

Some changes to the TrawsCymru website, service T2 now features the interior of one of the new MetroCity's from service T5 and the T3 now features one of the new double decker buses.

 

[Hardcastle]

I travelled on that bus less than an hour earlier a brand new bus smashed up a bit at the front.

 

[WelshBuses93]

Another feature on the TrawsCymru T3 E200, it now features overhead advertisements for the route served.

 

[adey2011]

T1
Next Stop Annoucnements are due soon on this service

T2
T2 tenders close tomorrow (31st July) with services commencing November 2015

T3
GHA Has been involved in another incident, this time in Barmouth, injuring one passenger. See http://www.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/pensioner-taken-hospital-after-barmouth-9762567

The submission date for the T2 services was the 31st July, has anyone heard anything yet as to who has prevailed?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Having withdrawn their 750 service, Bryans Coaches are now to withdraw their 701 service from October 1st, one can only assume that competition from First has abstracted their income to make running the service untenable. It does mean that the direct service from Aberystwyth to Cardiff is lost unless another operator decides to try their luck.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Having withdrawn their 750 service, Bryans Coaches are now to withdraw their 701 service from October 1st, one can only assume that competition from First has abstracted their income to make running the service untenable. It does mean that the direct service from Aberystwyth to Cardiff is lost unless another operator decides to try their luck.

Really, they are axing the entire service? Not just reducing the number of journies? The gradual increase in service, up to the launch of the trial 750 service in Sept 2014, would seem to suggest a growing market. There must have been a very sudden and significant change of circumstances and drop in patronage. What have First done, other than retiming the T1 to run slower which I would have thought would have further boosted the faster 701 service?

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Having withdrawn their 750 service, Bryans Coaches are now to withdraw their 701 service from October 1st, one can only assume that competition from First has abstracted their income to make running the service untenable. It does mean that the direct service from Aberystwyth to Cardiff is lost unless another operator decides to try their luck.

wrong wrong WRONG

The owner of Bryans coaches has decided to retire. The service is in rude health as you would know if you'd actually gone out and looked at it rather than just reading notices and proceedings. The 701 is to continue as usual to the same timetable but operated by Lewis's.

In fact far from being adversely affected by First's efforts the 701 has seen off the challenge from the X12 (to be withdrawn beginning of sept).

And Lewis's will NOT be "trying their luck" they will be taking on a successful route!

 

[Bwsbro]

wrong wrong WRONG

The owner of Bryans coaches has decided to retire. The service is in rude health as you would know if you'd actually gone out and looked at it rather than just reading notices and proceedings. The 701 is to continue as usual to the same timetable but operated by Lewis's.

In fact far from being adversely affected by First's efforts the 701 has seen off the challenge from the X12 (to be withdrawn beginning of sept).

And Lewis's will NOT be "trying their luck" they will be taking on a successful route!

Good to hear that the service will continue and hopefully Lewis will operate better quality coaches which could improve patronage

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Good to hear that the service will continue and hopefully Lewis will operate better quality coaches which could improve patronage

depends on what you mean by better quality. While the coaches that Bryan's use on the 701 are old and are worked too hard for their age they are certainly comfortable vehicles to travel on (especially the 2 tour coaches that regularly substitute) and from what I've seen of many modern coaches the seating can be of poor quality with barely any padding... just look at some of the offerings on Megabus....

 

[iantherev]

Lewis's back in Cardiff will be a blast from the past - their vehicles (or one from Evans, Penrhyncoch) used to work the Aber 'out and back' 701 when no Crosville vehicle was available.

 

[adey2011]

wrong wrong WRONG

The owner of Bryans coaches has decided to retire. The service is in rude health as you would know if you'd actually gone out and looked at it rather than just reading notices and proceedings. The 701 is to continue as usual to the same timetable but operated by Lewis's.

In fact far from being adversely affected by First's efforts the 701 has seen off the challenge from the X12 (to be withdrawn beginning of sept).

And Lewis's will NOT be "trying their luck" they will be taking on a successful route!

There really is no need to be so rude, my observation was as you say taken from Notices and Proceedings which is based on fact only. My need for more information was the reason I posted, perhaps in future you could be more tactful, we don't all seem to have your intimate knowledge, having said that thank you for clarifying the situation.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

There really is no need to be so rude, my observation was as you say taken from Notices and Proceedings which is based on fact only. My need for more information was the reason I posted, perhaps in future you could be more tactful, we don't all seem to have your intimate knowledge, having said that thank you for clarifying the situation.

Sorry if I was rude, but after 5 years of building the service it does get tiresome to constantly have to fight all the people along the route who want the service but are determined to see it fail....

 

[adey2011]

Sorry if I was rude, but after 5 years of building the service it does get tiresome to constantly have to fight all the people along the route who want the service but are determined to see it fail....

No problem at all, I fully understand lets hope the service continues to grow and prosper.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Lewis's back in Cardiff will be a blast from the past - their vehicles (or one from Evans, Penrhyncoch) used to work the Aber 'out and back' 701 when no Crosville vehicle was available.

The ending of Bryan's coaches on the 701 really will be the end of an era... for those that don't know the owner of Bryan's coaches is George Bryan who was depot manager at Aberystwyth when the original 701 TrawsCambria service started. George has, through many different companies, served the people of Aberystwyth well through the years offering stage carriage (can I still call it that?). day trips and coach holidays... and I hope we can all wish him a long and happy retirement and say a big thankyou for his dedicated service to the industry.

 

[Markdvdman]

wrong wrong WRONG

The owner of Bryans coaches has decided to retire. The service is in rude health as you would know if you'd actually gone out and looked at it rather than just reading notices and proceedings. The 701 is to continue as usual to the same timetable but operated by Lewis's.

In fact far from being adversely affected by First's efforts the 701 has seen off the challenge from the X12 (to be withdrawn beginning of sept).

And Lewis's will NOT be "trying their luck" they will be taking on a successful route!

I use the 701 every sunday from Cross hands at 9:48. It is a great service. Gutted about the X12 mind you! I reckon the fault of the X12 is the poor timing, and like many fringe services the last bus leaves too early, and the first bus too late! There is never enough research done. I will miss the X12 though I only use it rarely sadly.

 

[adey2011]

Does anyone know if Gwynedd have awarded the contract to operators yet for the T2 service which starts in November. Also has the timetable previously shown on this forum by Bwsbro been revised at all?

 

[WelshBuses93]

It will most probably stay with Express Motors and Lloyd's Coaches as I've seen some of their drivers wearing special uniforms for the T2. In other news, Express Motors service 38 is soon to be replaced by a new 39 from September 1st, linking Barmouth and Porthmadog and will no longer operate to Dolgellau with the exception of College/ School trips which will still operate as the 38.
http://www.expressmotors.co.uk/Timetables/38 Oakeley Arms - Barmouth - Dolgellau 01Sep15.pdf

 

[Bwsbro]

It will most probably stay with Express Motors and Lloyd's Coaches as I've seen some of their drivers wearing special uniforms for the T2. In other news, Express Motors service 38 is soon to be replaced by a new 39 from September 1st, linking Barmouth and Porthmadog and will no longer operate to Dolgellau with the exception of College/ School trips which will still operate as the 38.
http://www.expressmotors.co.uk/Timetables/38 Oakeley Arms - Barmouth - Dolgellau 01Sep15.pdf

The fact that Lloyds and Express have drivers wearing the TrawsCymru uniform is no indication of future tender award. Both Lloyds and Express operate T2 commercial services with the majority of uniformed drivers operating both Tenderd and Commercial journeys

Regarding the withdrawal of the 38. Hopefully the T3 will be improved Between Dolgellau and Barmouth as two hourly gaps isn't appropriate for the Barmouth Dolgellau section

 

[adey2011]

The fact that Lloyds and Express have drivers wearing the TrawsCymru uniform is no indication of future tender award. Both Lloyds and Express operate T2 commercial services with the majority of uniformed drivers operating both Tenderd and Commercial journeys

Regarding the withdrawal of the 38. Hopefully the T3 will be improved Between Dolgellau and Barmouth as two hourly gaps isn't appropriate for the Barmouth Dolgellau section

Forgive me if I am wrong but didn't Express run the 38 from Barmouth to Doll commercially, if so it probably wasn't viable to continue on that basis. Whether in view of the cutbacks threatened on local services Gwynedd will put it out to tender is an unknown. Certainly if they did I would imagine Express and Lloyds could possibly be interested and Lloyds have a depot in Doll, we must wait and see.