West Country Independents

[TheGrandWazoo]

bath bus company have east lancs decker pg 04 whb I think out on the a4

It's VE10 PG04WHB - a Volvo B7TL with East Lancs (Vyking?) bodywork. It's been on the A4 as you say looking very careworn

 

[Colly405]

So the tight timings on the 625 seem to be as dodgy as we thought. Have seen a few late runners, but just seen one heading west on the ring road 20 late...

 

[winston270twm]

Wessex have revised their 'Wessex Star' branding for the new term:

https://www.facebook.com/wessexbuse...7198704061560/810835345697891/?type=1&theater

The number of double deckers within the fleet will also be growing:

3 x 59 plate Scania Omnicity DD's (ex Stagecoach London)
5 x 03/53 plate DAF DB250/Wright Gemini (ex Arriva London)

 

[Colly405]

So the Wessex fight-back is starting...

http://www.wessexbus.com/news/Newlow-costserviceTheOnestartinginNovember_388.html

Quote in full:

We are pleased to announce that Wessex is going to start a new route from Monday 2nd November.

The new route “the One” will operate from Bristol Union Street to Cribbs Causeway via Whiteladies Road, Blackboy Hill, Westbury-on-Trym and Henbury. The service will operate 7 days a week and will be at frequent intervals with peak and daytime frequencies of every 7-10 minutes.

The service will have a dedicated team of drivers, and vehicles that are uniquely branded to the route and a series of low-cost fares, including singles, returns, weekly and monthly tickets will be unveiled.

Stephen Watkins, General Manager of Wessex says, “We have been undertaking a number of surveys in the past few months to identify where there is a need for improved links and lower cost fares. We believe that our new “the One” will provide a frequent and cost effective alternative service along this route.

We are looking to make this route a success with dedicated vehicles, dedicated staff with low-cost and simple fares. We are also now working on further routes that we can introduce through early 2016.”

We already have a successful network of buses that serve areas to the North of the City going into the University of West England as well as running a number of routes around the City. We have seen passenger numbers growing and are now looking to strengthen this and build a network across Bristol that really does give low-cost, affordable travel alternatives to people.

Wessex will be holding a series of launch events to inform people of this new service, the choice it will give them in travel between these points and to announce our low-cost fares.

 

[ooo]

So the Wessex fight-back is starting...

http://www.wessexbus.com/news/Newlow-costserviceTheOnestartinginNovember_388.html

Quote in full:

We are pleased to announce that Wessex is going to start a new route from Monday 2nd November.

The new route “the One” will operate from Bristol Union Street to Cribbs Causeway via Whiteladies Road, Blackboy Hill, Westbury-on-Trym and Henbury. The service will operate 7 days a week and will be at frequent intervals with peak and daytime frequencies of every 7-10 minutes.

The service will have a dedicated team of drivers, and vehicles that are uniquely branded to the route and a series of low-cost fares, including singles, returns, weekly and monthly tickets will be unveiled.

Stephen Watkins, General Manager of Wessex says, “We have been undertaking a number of surveys in the past few months to identify where there is a need for improved links and lower cost fares. We believe that our new “the One” will provide a frequent and cost effective alternative service along this route.

We are looking to make this route a success with dedicated vehicles, dedicated staff with low-cost and simple fares. We are also now working on further routes that we can introduce through early 2016.”

We already have a successful network of buses that serve areas to the North of the City going into the University of West England as well as running a number of routes around the City. We have seen passenger numbers growing and are now looking to strengthen this and build a network across Bristol that really does give low-cost, affordable travel alternatives to people.

Wessex will be holding a series of launch events to inform people of this new service, the choice it will give them in travel between these points and to announce our low-cost fares.

Was just about to post this

If I remember correctly Wessex's last attempt at the Centre to Cribbs Route (Although that time was up Gloucester Rd) wasn't very successful so I wonder how this route will succeed. I think it will all depend on the fares.

If it is being called the one this might cause confusion with the First Bus 1 seeing as they follow a similar route.

 

[carlberry]

The service will have a dedicated team of drivers, and vehicles that are uniquely branded to the route and a series of low-cost fares, including singles, returns, weekly and monthly tickets will be unveiled.

Stephen Watkins, General Manager of Wessex says, “We have been undertaking a number of surveys in the past few months to identify where there is a need for improved links and lower cost fares. We believe that our new “the One” will provide a frequent and cost effective alternative service along this route.

So a survey of where there is a need for improved links identifies a corridor that's already very well covered! I also note that they're introducing vehicles that 'are uniquely branded to the route' but arnt making any promises that they'll bother actually allocating them properly!

 

[freetoview33]

So I can see First reallocating some Streetdecks from the 50/1/90 to the 1 to fight back

 

[carlberry]

So I can see First reallocating some Streetdecks from the 50/1/90 to the 1 to fight back

Bring back 'Sky Blue' buses!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So a survey of where there is a need for improved links identifies a corridor that's already very well covered! I also note that they're introducing vehicles that 'are uniquely branded to the route' but arnt making any promises that they'll bother actually allocating them properly!

Uniquely branded - which is why they've called it the One!

Still, I thought it had to happen when the 48A was introduced. Wonder where else they might appear?

This could be very interesting....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Bring back 'Sky Blue' buses!

Can they find any knackered Nationals (though the odd B6 might still be available)?

 

[winston270twm]

Uniquely branded - which is why they've called it the One!

Still, I thought it had to happen when the 48A was introduced. Wonder where else they might appear?

This could be very interesting....

I'm pleased to see Wessex are finally fighting back on the back of further First Bristol advances, it's long overdue and it's reassuring to see it is a new none UWE commercial service. I wonder if this might be what the 5 ex Arriva London DAF DB250/Wright Gemini's have been acquired for?

There should be a 12 plate ex Optare Solor SR demo heading to Wessex as well soon
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67444577@N02/20739530844/in/dateposted/

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm pleased to see Wessex are finally fighting back on the back of further First Bristol advances, it's long overdue and it's reassuring to see it is a new none UWE commercial service. I wonder if this might be what the 5 ex Arriva London DAF DB250/Wright Gemini's have been acquired for?

There should be a 12 plate ex Optare Solor SR demo heading to Wessex as well soon
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67444577@N02/20739530844/in/dateposted/

To be honest, they've not had great success before and they've left it rather late in the day.

It's a fair risk to go to some corridor where they have no presence. They could have a situation where First are knocking seven shades out of them on the 48A and the Bath Uni services, whilst they then run empty on new routes in new areas.

As I say, interesting days ahead

 

[freetoview33]

3 - failed
15 - failed
X40 - failed
theone - ???

 

[winston270twm]

To be honest, they've not had great success before and they've left it rather late in the day.

It's a fair risk to go to some corridor where they have no presence. They could have a situation where First are knocking seven shades out of them on the 48A and the Bath Uni services, whilst they then run empty on new routes in new areas.

As I say, interesting days ahead

I agree, they missed a golden opportunity to attack First & expand significantly within Bristol when First Group were struggling / not buying any new buses etc. Wessex do seem as though they will be marketing the new service far more than previous competitive attemps, the following extract from the new release is also interesting suggesting more new routes are planned to be introduced over the next 6 months We are also now working on further routes that we can introduce through early 2016.

I suspect they're going to bring the eqvilent of 'Diamond Value Fares' to Bristol, thus competing on price rather than brand new buses. It seems to work well against NXWM on certain corridors & they have strong travelcard sales

it will be interesting to see how Wessex get on & First's response....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

3 - failed
15 - failed
X40 - failed
theone - ???

Wessex is now headed by Simon Cursio, hopefully, the latest competitive attempt will be more successful

 

[swifty]

3 - failed
15 - failed
X40 - failed
theone - ???

Bath Uniconnect has also been killed off and replaced by Wessex Star.

 

[freetoview33]

I am still sceptical, as we know First will probably fight back. Will be interesting though!

Also the Weston - Cribbs service failed!

I'm not saying I want it to fail I just don't have the faith that they can make it work!

 

[winston270twm]

I am still sceptical, as we know First will probably fight back. Will be interesting though!

Also the Weston - Cribbs service failed!

I'm not saying I want it to fail I just don't have the faith that they can make it work!

I think it's pretty much inevitable that First will fight back, there's no reason why First shouldn't be on the receiving end of new competition though. Afterall, it is First that have been putting the squeeze on Wessex for some time. It's good to see Wessex finally spured in to action, hopefully if the new service takes off, others may follow. If the single, returns, weekly & monthly passes are priced similar to Diamond Value fares, they will allow passengers along that route to make significant savings over what First charge

 

[matt_splat]

Is Simon Curso still with Wessex?

It would be nice to see some creativity from Wessex not just a copy and paste job.....

Also does any one know if its true if the 20 contract in Bath is up for renewal a route I feel Wessex could run mostly commercially due to the number of students it carries

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Is Simon Curso still with Wessex?

It would be nice to see some creativity from Wessex not just a copy and paste job.....

Also does any one know if its true if the 20 contract in Bath is up for renewal a route I feel Wessex could run mostly commercially due to the number of students it carries

I wonder if the 20 is a route that's a bit feast or famine. Busy when the students are in town and on certain journeys but then dead the remainder. Otherwise, First might have registered it before now to try and hasten the demise of Wessex in Bath.

 

[winston270twm]

Is Simon Curso still with Wessex?

LinkedIn & Twitter suggests he's back at First Cymru. Simon Cursio was meant to have started at Wessex Jan 2015, he has a gap between Jan 2015 & March 2015 in his career history so don't know what happened there

 

[swifty]

LinkedIn & Twitter suggests he's back at First Cymru. Simon Cursio was meant to have started at Wessex Jan 2015, he has a gap between Jan 2015 & March 2015 in his career history so don't know what happened there

I don't think he ever started did he? The clue was in the press release, the General Manager is Stephen Watkins.

 

[Mojo]

I don't think he ever started did he? The clue was in the press release, the General Manager is Stephen Watkins.

Simon was appointed as Managing Director, not General Manager. The Google cache of the "About Wessex" page on the Rotala website, which was supposedly taken on Sept 5th, says Simon Cursio is MD, but when you go to the current version of the page, the MD position does not exist.

 

[winston270twm]

I don't think he ever started did he? The clue was in the press release, the General Manager is Stephen Watkins.

I had a depot tour of Rotala Long Acre, B'ham the end of the week before Simon Cursio was due to start & nothing had changed. Simon Cursio was going in as MD not GM. Stephen Watkins has been there 18 months

 

[Class 33]

I am very surprised that Wessex are introducing this new "The One" service which appears to be an exact duplicate of First's 1 between Broadmead and Cribbs Causeway! And thinking why can't they come up with another service instead which is routed and forming new links between various districts and alternate services to/from Centre and Broadmead.

Anyone remember some small bus company from around 1997/1998 which operated services 70A and 80A, which were mini-buses and duplicated services 1 and 77 between Henbury and Centre? I can't remember the name of the company. And not sure if they also had other services as well as those two. They had cheaper fares than City Line, allthough the services and the company didn't last more than about a year or so. I think City Line took them to court about it and forced them out of business.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I am very surprised that Wessex are introducing this new "The One" service which appears to be an exact duplicate of First's 1 between Broadmead and Cribbs Causeway! And thinking why can't they come up with another service instead which is routed and forming new links between various districts and alternate services to/from Centre and Broadmead.

Anyone remember some small bus company from around 1997/1998 which operated services 70A and 80A, which were mini-buses and duplicated services 1 and 77 between Henbury and Centre? I can't remember the name of the company. And not sure if they also had other services as well as those two. They had cheaper fares than City Line, allthough the services and the company didn't last more than about a year or so. I think City Line took them to court about it and forced them out of business.

Guess it's easiest to compete on long established routes than cultivate a new market.

 

[winston270twm]

I am very surprised that Wessex are introducing this new "The One" service which appears to be an exact duplicate of First's 1 between Broadmead and Cribbs Causeway! And thinking why can't they come up with another service instead which is routed and forming new links between various districts and alternate services to/from Centre and Broadmead.

The exact same thinking applies to First's new 48A service, which looks distinctly like Wessex Star route 13

 

[swifty]

Anyone remember some small bus company from around 1997/1998 which operated services 70A and 80A, which were mini-buses and duplicated services 1 and 77 between Henbury and Centre? I can't remember the name of the company. And not sure if they also had other services as well as those two. They had cheaper fares than City Line, allthough the services and the company didn't last more than about a year or so. I think City Line took them to court about it and forced them out of business.

That would be Swiftlink, one of many forays into the local bus market, who went on to become the more familiar Eurotaxis.

 

[matt_splat]

Maybe Cursio went in that revolving door they have at avonmouth and walked straight back out......

Back to the 20s if some one did get it maybe a uni timetable and a non uni / Saturday timetable could be better suited? i do gather some morning trips now going from Weston towards the UNI via Julian road are fully standing before the bus has touched Walcott street and the center.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That would be Swiftlink, one of many forays into the local bus market, who went on to become the more familiar Eurotaxis.

No SwiftyLink? - (bedum tish)

That period (1995-1999) was when I was out of the loop in terms of bus services in the South West. Did they gracefully retreat rather than be bought out? Was it Silverlink that First bought out?

However, I can all too sadly recall Eurotaxis foray into bus operation about 2006. People may castigate Wessex and First for quality and reliability but that was a real low point in operation

 

[carlberry]

No SwiftyLink? - (bedum tish)

That period (1995-1999) was when I was out of the loop in terms of bus services in the South West. Did they gracefully retreat rather than be bought out? Was it Silverlink that First bought out?

Silverwing operated services in the 1990s. Streamline is the company that First bought out in 1996/1997. Eurotaxis ran some double deckers in the 1990s in a red/yellow livery before coming back with a fleet of small minibuses on tendered services before retreting to coachs/schools again. Ambassador had a pop at some of the same services in the early 1990s with green deckers. London Bus of Kingswood also had a go at Whiteladies Road a few years ago, but only with one vehicle.

 

[freetoview33]

Silverwing operated services in the 1990s. Streamline is the company that First bought out in 1996/1997. Eurotaxis ran some double deckers in the 1990s in a red/yellow livery before coming back with a fleet of small minibuses on tendered services before retreting to coachs/schools again. Ambassador had a pop at some of the same services in the early 1990s with green deckers. London Bus of Kingswood also had a go at Whiteladies Road a few years ago, but only with one vehicle.

It is a shame that there Westbury - Yate service never got the chance to start!