West Country Independents

[TheGrandWazoo]

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.

That was the period when I lost contact so all a bit vague. Seem to recall travelling on Arrow Coaches (508/9?) as well as Clapton Coaches.

 

[Colly405]

I've failed miserably to catch one of these, as they seem to (as predicted) have trouble keeping to the rather taxing timetable.

Finally caught one today (just 7 min late!) and the driver said that there is a new timetable starting in 2 weeks. "90 minutes", they said.

Now whether that is 90 min frequency (60 now), or 90 min running time (also 60 now), I'm not sure. And there's nothing that I can find on VOSA or Traveline...

 

[Marcus Fryer]

I've failed miserably to catch one of these, as they seem to (as predicted) have trouble keeping to the rather taxing timetable.

I think there might be a bit of inaccuracy in the timings. I caught the 14:45 625 from Bristol Parkway to Southmead on 5th September (a Saturday) and although it was 7 mins late from Parkway it was only 2 mins late arrival at Southmead. Also, towards Severn Beach buses are allowed 16 minutes from Easter Compton to Severn Beach station, but 10 minutes in the opposite direction.

 

[Colly405]

I think there might be a bit of inaccuracy in the timings. I caught the 14:45 625 from Bristol Parkway to Southmead on 5th September (a Saturday) and although it was 7 mins late from Parkway it was only 2 mins late arrival at Southmead. Also, towards Severn Beach buses are allowed 16 minutes from Easter Compton to Severn Beach station, but 10 minutes in the opposite direction.

And I saw one leave Parkway 22 mins late towards Southmead, that reappeared 17 mins later going the other way. No way did that to full route at just after 1700 on a weekday!!!!!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And I saw one leave Parkway 22 mins late towards Southmead, that reappeared 17 mins later going the other way. No way did that to full route at just after 1700 on a weekday!!!!!

That ex Stagecoach Dart just screams quality....

 

[Marc]

I wonder if this rubbish operation of the 625 would be excepted by the council if it was run by a proper bus company instead of the community transport lot.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wonder if this rubbish operation of the 625 would be excepted by the council if it was run by a proper bus company instead of the community transport lot.

Depends on the cause of the rubbish operation. Is it generally poor performance and management, or is it unrealistic scheduling by the council?

I don't know the truth. I only see the 625 when using Parkway to head to the smoke though I'd would hope that Dart is due for a spruce (unless it's some sort of interim).

 

[Mojo]

No one contribuying to this thread rode on the first day of the new 77 bus route did they? My sister was on one of the buses and said she got speaking to some guy who was talking to her about buses.

The driver, who was an old guy with a northern accent, didn't know anywhere on the route as he was only given a list of directions and had never driven it before, and couldn't work out the fare stages either, just charging everyone £1.50.

 

[vicbury]

No one contribuying to this thread rode on the first day of the new 77 bus route did they? My sister was on one of the buses and said she got speaking to some guy who was talking to her about buses.

The driver, who was an old guy with a northern accent, didn't know anywhere on the route as he was only given a list of directions and had never driven it before, and couldn't work out the fare stages either, just charging everyone £1.50.

I believe the 77 is a First route so might be worth asking in the other thread in case anyone misses this.

 

[swifty]

DAF/Wright DW2 (LJ03MWN) was in use with Wessex on the 13 today in red/silver star ilvery.

 

[1905 Group]

DAF/Wright DW2 (LJ03MWN) was in use with Wessex on the 13 today in red/silver star ilvery.

It was on the 19 yesterday.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd would hope that Dart is due for a spruce (unless it's some sort of interim).

It certainly isn't a stop gap measure, and it's very unlikely that it will be modified inside, STL have just gained another a few days ago too, former South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach DENNIS Dart W964 TRP.

Jack

 

[Colly405]

New times are on Traveline for the 501/502 - looks to be the whole cancellation of the Sunday service.

Leaves 1/hr on the 18 as the only service between Southmead Hospital and Parkway/Westbury/Shirehampton/Lawrence Weston.

 

[freetoview33]

New times are on Traveline for the 501/502 - looks to be the whole cancellation of the Sunday service.

Leaves 1/hr on the 18 as the only service between Southmead Hospital and Parkway/Westbury/Shirehampton/Lawrence Weston.

Madness!

 

[Rothy]

Timetable for Wessex's 1 is now on Traveline!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It was on the 19 yesterday.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It certainly isn't a stop gap measure, and it's very unlikely that it will be modified inside, STL have just gained another a few days ago too, former South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach DENNIS Dart W964 TRP.

Jack

Thinking more of an external spruce i.e. all white rather than the Stagecoach botch job

 

[ValleyLines142]

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

In fairness though, the 48A is essentially an extension of the 48/49, which is First's own route. They are the main operator through Eastville and Fishponds.

Wessex have literally just done the 1 in order to compete with First. It won't work. I'm also very supplied the traffic commissioners have allowed them to number it 1 as well, which I think is really stupid. It should have been something like the 20, as a continuation of the 19.

But hey, that's my opinion. Good luck to Wessex though.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

In fairness though, the 48A is essentially an extension of the 48/49, which is First's own route. They are the main operator through Eastville and Fishponds.

Wessex have literally just done the 1 in order to compete with First. It won't work. I'm also very supplied the traffic commissioners have allowed them to number it 1 as well, which I think is really stupid. It should have been something like the 20, as a continuation of the 19.

But hey, that's my opinion. Good luck to Wessex though.

However, First all but gave up on UWE and allowed Wessex in. It was startling complacency then by First matched more recently by Wessex with the lack of response to a resurgent First. So whilst you're right the Fishponds Rd has been First territory then UWE was largely Wessex til First set about reasserting themselves

The traffic commissioner can't force a business to choose another number. It was always a question for the competition authorities as it was sometimes argued as a form of "passing off".

 

[THarris123]

Something I really think that First should look at - I saw a stack of Wessex 16s today (at lunchtime), all of which completely full with students to UoB. Why hasn't First looked at this?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also quick questions:-
Who owns CT Plus? Is it an independent company?

And who runs the tour sightseeing bus around Bristol? It doesn't look like it's RATP.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Something I really think that First should look at - I saw a stack of Wessex 16s today (at lunchtime), all of which completely full with students to UoB. Why hasn't First looked at this?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also quick questions:-
Who owns CT Plus? Is it an independent company?

And who runs the tour sightseeing bus around Bristol? It doesn't look like it's RATP.

CT Plus - have a look at their website. They were a community transport provider who grew wings http://www.hctgroup.org/

 

[freetoview33]

Something I really think that First should look at - I saw a stack of Wessex 16s today (at lunchtime), all of which completely full with students to UoB. Why hasn't First looked at this?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also quick questions:-
Who owns CT Plus? Is it an independent company?

And who runs the tour sightseeing bus around Bristol? It doesn't look like it's RATP.

Wessex created a demand for the 16! It worked fine before without the 16, just students got a bit more exercise!

 

[winston270twm]

In fairness though, the 48A is essentially an extension of the 48/49, which is First's own route. They are the main operator through Eastville and Fishponds.

Wessex have literally just done the 1 in order to compete with First. It won't work. I'm also very supplied the traffic commissioners have allowed them to number it 1 as well, which I think is really stupid. It should have been something like the 20, as a continuation of the 19.

But hey, that's my opinion. Good luck to Wessex though.

First's 48A is an exact copy of Wessex Star 13 & First are doing exactly the same as you are accusing Wessex of doing on the One. As the TGW said, First turned their nose up to serving UWE & those services have built up substantially over the years due to Wessex/UWE partnership.

I hope Wessex's new 'the One' & it's low fares are successful & and further new routes are added in competition with First in due course. If First want to dish it out, they also need to expect to be on the receiving end as well......

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

First's 48A is an exact copy of Wessex Star 13 & First are doing exactly the same as you are accusing Wessex of doing on the One. As the TGW said, First turned their nose up to serving UWE & those services have built up substantially over the years due to Wessex/UWE partnership.

I hope Wessex's new 'the One' & it's low fares are successful & and further new routes are added in competition with First in due course. If First want to dish it out, they also need to expect to be on the receiving end as well......

All's fair as they say. I'm not partisan and I don't know how it'll pan out. First are on the up in Bristol but Rotala are no pushover. Wait and see!!

It is almost that First were so lacklustre that Wessex got complacent and were arguably as bad!!

 

[carlberry]

And who runs the tour sightseeing bus around Bristol? It doesn't look like it's RATP.

The Bristol one is independent (Rubicon Classic Travel) and doesn’t operate under the 'City Sightseeing' brand anymore.

RATP own the company that operate the Bath sightseeing bus.

 

[Stompehh]

Something I really think that First should look at - I saw a stack of Wessex 16s today (at lunchtime), all of which completely full with students to UoB. Why hasn't First looked at this?

The 16 is supported by the Uni, and all first year students are given a free pass for it. Considerably fewer people would use it if it wasn't free!

 

[winston270twm]

DAF/Wright DW2 (LJ03MWN) was in use with Wessex on the 13 today in red/silver star ilvery.

Has anyone come across any pictures online of any Wessex DAF/Gemini's (ex Arriva London) or ex Scania Omnicity DD's (Stagecoach London) they could post links too?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Has anyone come across any pictures online of any Wessex DAF/Gemini's (ex Arriva London) or ex Scania Omnicity DD's (Stagecoach London) they could post links too?

I'm in Bristol on Tuesday and Wednesday I shall try and get a photo for you!

 

[ooo]

The Bristol one is independent (Rubicon Classic Travel) and doesn’t operate under the 'City Sightseeing' brand anymore.

RATP own the company that operate the Bath sightseeing bus.

Do you know why they stopped using the city Sightseeing Brand?

 

[THarris123]

Do you know why they stopped using the city Sightseeing Brand?

The bus stop at Temple Meads still shows the City Sightseeing branding. Not sure why.

I thought that RATP ran all the City Sightseeing/tours around the country. I must be wrong!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The bus stop at Temple Meads still shows the City Sightseeing branding. Not sure why.

I thought that RATP ran all the City Sightseeing/tours around the country. I must be wrong!

The ones in Chester and Stratford are Stagecoach operated under the CS brand IIRC

 

[freetoview33]

The bus stop at Temple Meads still shows the City Sightseeing branding. Not sure why.

I thought that RATP ran all the City Sightseeing/tours around the country. I must be wrong!

It is complicated! Ensignbus started the brand, but then sold it to the Spanish franchise. The Bath, Cardiff and Windsor operations are still run by RATP under franchise.