West Country Independents

[carlberry]

CT Plus also do a lot of staff transport for Southmead NHS Trust

I thought that the Southmead contract was only until they built some more car parks. I havent seen any around for a few weeks now.

 

[freetoview33]

The CT contract for staff park and ride has stopped and the shuttles for the car park will stop when phase 2 is completed

 

[winston270twm]

The CT contract for staff park and ride has stopped and the shuttles for the car park will stop when phase 2 is completed

It sounds as thought the other work CT Plus has is coming to end as well, and therefore may not have been viable to just operate Park & Ride routes if they were successful in retaining them.

As First are clearly continuing to put Wessex under pressure at both UWE & a Bath, I had thought that the Park & Ride routes would have been ideal to allow Wessex to expand it's fleet given fleet reductions over the past 1-2 years due to tendered service losses / various service withdrawals etc.

 

[ChrisPJ]

I aware the Jersey buses are owned by the jersey government and just operated by ct with dda looming for deckers I can't imagine leases are going cheap.

CT lease the buses in Jersey. You may be thinking of their contract in Guernsey where the Darts are all owned by the govenment

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It sounds as thought the other work CT Plus has is coming to end as well, and therefore may not have been viable to just operate Park & Ride routes if they were successful in retaining them.

As First are clearly continuing to put Wessex under pressure at both UWE & a Bath, I had thought that the Park & Ride routes would have been ideal to allow Wessex to expand it's fleet given fleet reductions over the past 1-2 years due to tendered service losses / various service withdrawals etc.

Tbf, the Southmead stuff is relatively recent. The two P&Rs were run as standalone for quite a time. Without knowing who tendered for what, hard to know what has gone on.

Agree with you ref: Wessex and wonder how keen tenders were to get the work.

 

[Stroud Valleys]

If bus franchising does come to Bristol, surely due to the size of Bristol, First would not be permitted to have a monopoly on the network. If franchising is here for the future, then surely Wessex would be left with the leftover low value package

 

[carlberry]

Lots of variety with Abus on the X9 today. Standard fare with the ex Bennetts First Livered Merc, nicely full AP03BUS (Solo) going in this evening (that will have been cosy on the return working!!) and, for the true connoisseur high floor 22 year old Spectra L124ELJ on the other working!

Severn Transport 626 being worked by a Ct plus driver; perhaps, because of all the staff shortages, they'll become a driver agency!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not certain why DDA will have any impact on leasing charges?

Saw the almost mythical Cityfox MAN last night; allegedly on RRS.

 

[Mr Manager]

Do you want to borrow this ?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Do you want to borrow this ?

I nearly put six numbers on - my luck was clearly in!!

 

[carlberry]

Saw the almost mythical Cityfox MAN last night; allegedly on RRS.

I assume this is running under somebody else's licence then (if it's really on RRS).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I assume this is running under somebody else's licence then (if it's really on RRS).

It had one passenger - the oft quoted Rhys Hand

 

[swifty]

Saw the almost mythical Cityfox MAN last night; allegedly on RRS.

It's quite often parked up on a night, in a dark corner, at the old Bristol Greyhound 'depot'.

 

[winston270twm]

PH1066711/105 - WESSEX BUS LTD, BEACON HOUSE, LONG ACRE, ASTON, BIRMINGHAM, B7 5JJ
Variation Accepted: Operating between Frenchay Campus and Frenchay Campus given service number 13 effective from 24-Apr-2016. To amend Timetable.

PH1066711/117 - WESSEX BUS LTD, BEACON HOUSE, LONG ACRE, ASTON, BIRMINGHAM, B7 5JJ
Variation Accepted: Operating between Portway Park & Ride and Portway Park & Ride given service number 901 effective from 24-Apr-2016. To amend Stopping Places.

 

[matt_splat]

Two More interesting ones -

PH1094121/10 - ABUS LTD, 104 WINCHESTER ROAD, BRISLINGTON, BRISTOL, BS4 3WL
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Bristol Bus Station
Finish Point: Bristol Bus Station
Via: Cambridge Batch, Nailsea
Service Number: X9
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-APR-2016
Other Details: Monday to Friday except for public holidays.
PH1123082/1 - THE KINGS FERRY LTD, THE TRAVEL CENTRE, EASTCOURT LANE, GILLINGHAM, ME8 6HN
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Weston Super Mare, Locking Road and MOD Abbeywood Bristol given service number C1/C0/C2/C3 effective from 24-Apr-2016.
PH1123082/2 - THE KINGS FERRY LTD, THE TRAVEL CENTRE, EASTCOURT LANE, GILLINGHAM, ME8 6HN
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Portishead, West Hill The Triangle and MOD Abbeywood Bristol given service number C5/C6/C7 effective from 24-Apr-2016.

 

[THarris123]

Cancellation of Kings Ferry stuff is interesting.

 

[winston270twm]

Cancellation of Kings Ferry stuff is interesting.

I assume the initial funding may be ending & the services aren't viable to continue commercially without it?

 

[carlberry]

I assume the initial funding may be ending & the services aren't viable to continue commercially without it?

When launched (21st August 2013) the statement was 'On top of the council’s two year kick-start funding, The Kings Ferry has committed to run the service for at least a further two years, hopefully securing the commuter link’s long-term viability.'

All of the pages about this have been removed from the North Somerset council website since 21st Feb however, but the statement can still be found from Google Cache at the moment. I'd assume from this action that things have changed very recently!!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I assume the initial funding may be ending & the services aren't viable to continue commercially without it?

Funding came from the LSTF for two years as from November 2013 (according to this article which is in the Post so must be correct)

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Commuter-service-proves-big-success/story-21087657-detail/story.html

 

[Colly405]

The changes affecting S Glos are on the council website.

Service changes 14 March 2016

Service 19 – Wessex
Due to recent reliability issues on this service the intermediate running times will be revised across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality this will mean that the frequency will reduce from 20 to 25 minutes Monday to Friday UWE term times but no change to the Saturday frequency, no change to non-term timetable or route.

Service changes 24 April 2016

Service 1 – Wessex
Frequency reduced to approximately 20 mins Monday to Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Bank Holiday journeys will have a 30 minute frequency. Intermediate running times will be revised across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality to link to
#####new service 2 from Bristol Centre to Southmead Hospital operated by Wessex, #####
no change to route.

Service 13 – Wessex
Frequency reduced from Bristol to UWE to 30 minutes Monday to Friday, Journeys from Bristol to Fishponds New Station Road will run every 15 minutes Monday to Friday. Saturday frequency reduced to 30 minutes, Sunday and Bank Holiday remain the same frequency. Intermediate running times will be revised across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality, no change to route.

 

[winston270twm]

The changes affecting S Glos are on the council website.

Service changes 14 March 2016

Service 19 – Wessex
Due to recent reliability issues on this service the intermediate running times will be revised across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality this will mean that the frequency will reduce from 20 to 25 minutes Monday to Friday UWE term times but no change to the Saturday frequency, no change to non-term timetable or route.

Service changes 24 April 2016

Service 1 – Wessex
Frequency reduced to approximately 20 mins Monday to Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Bank Holiday journeys will have a 30 minute frequency. Intermediate running times will be revised across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality to link to
#####new service 2 from Bristol Centre to Southmead Hospital operated by Wessex, #####
no change to route.

Service 13 – Wessex
Frequency reduced from Bristol to UWE to 30 minutes Monday to Friday, Journeys from Bristol to Fishponds New Station Road will run every 15 minutes Monday to Friday. Saturday frequency reduced to 30 minutes, Sunday and Bank Holiday remain the same frequency. Intermediate running times will be revised across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality, no change to route.

Looks like First are succeeding in pushing Wessex out of UWE.

It looks as though Wessex are now re-deploying redundant buses on to new Route 2 running in competition over part of First Bristol's 2

 

[Colly405]

It looks as though Wessex are now re-deploying redundant buses on to new Route 2 running in competition over part of First Bristol's 2

I'm not sure there will be many extra vehicles needed for the 2 as, at face value, it looks to be replacing every other journey on the 1. Will be interesting to see whether it goes via Henleaze like the First 2 or maintains the 10 min frequency to WOT by running to Southmead from there, a bit like the old 2 used to before it was renumbered 55, before First scrapped it...

 

[carlberry]

#####new service 2 from Bristol Centre to Southmead Hospital operated by Wessex, #####
no change to route.

That's good because what everybody in Bristol is crying out for is:
More duplication of existing bus services
2 buses called the number 2 that take different routes in Southmead.
More buses using the inadequate facilities at Southmead Hospital, especially another using it as a terminus point!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Cancellation of Kings Ferry stuff is interesting.

From the Crosville website (with thanks to Dave Godley for the notification):

- See more at: http://www.crosvillemotorservices.c...bristol-commuter-service#sthash.MJPg0nHy.dpuf

Crosville Motor Services Ltd are pleased to announce that we will be taking over the operation of the North Fringe Bristol Commuter Coach service.

The award of such contract takes place from the 24th April 2016. The North Fringe Commuter Coach operates from Weston to North Bristol via Clevedon. This is an express passenger service and will see two new coaches being added to the expanding network of Crosville.

Crosville’s Managing Director Jonathan Jones-Pratt said “This is very exciting to see Crosville venturing into Bristol and it is also a great opportunity for further business growth as well as expanding our geographical area of operation. The service is currently being operated by Kings Ferry from which we have been in various discussions for a smooth transitional hand over of such project, in line with the agreed parties we will see this operation changing to the Crosville operation on the 25th April 2016.

 

[THarris123]

Pleased to see Wessex are reducing 1
Not so pleased about the stupid 2
Pleased to see that Wessex are getting knocked out of UWE nearly
Pleased to see Crosville take on the commuter service - I wonder if they'll have to reduce stuff in Weston to move drivers onto the route?

So this year we're going to see both the end of CT plus and Kings Ferry (public services that is, they'll probably still be going with private work)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Pleased to see Wessex are reducing 1
Not so pleased about the stupid 2
Pleased to see that Wessex are getting knocked out of UWE nearly
Pleased to see Crosville take on the commuter service - I wonder if they'll have to reduce stuff in Weston to move drivers onto the route?

So this year we're going to see both the end of CT plus and Kings Ferry (public services that is, they'll probably still be going with private work)

I doubt they'd reduce work - sounds like they might take on the KF drivers depending how you read that.

I'd make the point that whilst people may be welcoming the retrenchment of Wessex, remember that it was First's lack of ambition and sky high tendering that let in both Wessex and SGBC in the first place.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That's good because what everybody in Bristol is crying out for is:
More duplication of existing bus services
2 buses called the number 2 that take different routes in Southmead.
More buses using the inadequate facilities at Southmead Hospital, especially another using it as a terminus point!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

From the Crosville website (with thanks to Dave Godley for the notification):

- See more at: http://www.crosvillemotorservices.c...bristol-commuter-service#sthash.MJPg0nHy.dpuf

Crosville Motor Services Ltd are pleased to announce that we will be taking over the operation of the North Fringe Bristol Commuter Coach service.

The award of such contract takes place from the 24th April 2016. The North Fringe Commuter Coach operates from Weston to North Bristol via Clevedon. This is an express passenger service and will see two new coaches being added to the expanding network of Crosville.

Crosville’s Managing Director Jonathan Jones-Pratt said “This is very exciting to see Crosville venturing into Bristol and it is also a great opportunity for further business growth as well as expanding our geographical area of operation. The service is currently being operated by Kings Ferry from which we have been in various discussions for a smooth transitional hand over of such project, in line with the agreed parties we will see this operation changing to the Crosville operation on the 25th April 2016.

Indeed Carl though in fairness, First perhaps began this latest spat with the 48A being introduced.

 

[winston270twm]

I doubt they'd reduce work - sounds like they might take on the KF drivers depending how you read that.

I'd make the point that whilst people may be welcoming the retrenchment of Wessex, remember that it was First's lack of ambition and sky high tendering that let in both Wessex and SGBC in the first place.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Indeed Carl though in fairness, First perhaps began this latest spat with the 48A being introduced.

TGW/All,

Do we know in The Kings Ferry have lost the North Bristol Commuter contract or have just not re-tendered for it and decided to exit their outstation in Bristol?

Totally agree, the 1 & now 2 have only been introduced as a result of First attempts to push Wessex off tendered work & more recently due to First's advances in to UWE which they were never interested in.



PH0004798/6 - JOHN VALENTINE PICKFORD T/A FARESAVER, THE COACH YARD, VINCIENTS ROAD, BUMPERS FARM, CHIPPENHAM, SN14 6QA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bath, Dorchester Street and Chippenham Bus Station given service number X31 effective from 25-Apr-2016. To amend Timetable.

PH0004798/15 - JOHN VALENTINE PICKFORD T/A FARESAVER, THE COACH YARD, VINCIENTS ROAD, BUMPERS FARM, CHIPPENHAM, SN14 6QA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Frome, Critchill Road and Bath, Dorchester Street given service number X67 effective from 25-Apr-2016. To amend Timetable.

PH0004798/22 - JOHN VALENTINE PICKFORD T/A FARESAVER, THE COACH YARD, VINCIENTS ROAD, BUMPERS FARM, CHIPPENHAM, SN14 6QA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bath, Dorchester Street and Bath, Dorchester Street given service number X72 effective from 25-Apr-2016. To amend Timetable.

PH0004798/27 - JOHN VALENTINE PICKFORD T/A FARESAVER, THE COACH YARD, VINCIENTS ROAD, BUMPERS FARM, CHIPPENHAM, SN14 6QA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bath Bus Station and Colerne given service number 228/79 effective from 25-Apr-2016. To amend Timetable.

 

[carlberry]

TGW/All,

Do we know in The Kings Ferry have lost the North Bristol Commuter contract or have just not re-tendered for it and decided to exit their outstation in Bristol?

Totally agree, the 1 & now 2 have only been introduced as a result of First attempts to push Wessex off tendered work & more recently due to First's advances in to UWE which they were never interested in.

The two year Kings Ferry contract ended last year, we're now into the additional two years that they agreed to run it for after the contract expired. I suspect it's not big enough for Kings Ferry to want to carry on with, especially if the base isnt being used for much else.

I dont think First ever gave up on UWE commercially. After Wessex got the contract for the unibus services it wouldnt have been viable to try to run everything. I assume more of it's purely commercial now so it's more of a level playing field. (And First have changed over the last couple of years).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The two year Kings Ferry contract ended last year, we're now into the additional two years that they agreed to run it for after the contract expired. I suspect it's not big enough for Kings Ferry to want to carry on with, especially if the base isnt being used for much else.

I dont think First ever gave up on UWE commercially. After Wessex got the contract for the unibus services it wouldnt have been viable to try to run everything. I assume more of it's purely commercial now so it's more of a level playing field. (And First have changed over the last couple of years).

Suspect you're right on the KF work - makes sense.

As with much of First during the 2001-2011 period and especially in latter days, the FSA/FB operations were just a seemingly continuous period of contraction. It really did allow SGBC and Wessex to come in and forge a business and you have to ask how and why Wessex were able to come in and get the UWE business anyway? Well, I think we all know why... part of that greater malaise.

Of course, First have been resurgent in the area in recent years and, to be honest, Wessex were massively complacent. There were any number of routes that should've been commercialised by Wessex (e.g. 581) but they were happy to keep on taking the money. You could argue it was a mirror image of what had happened 10 years or so earlier.

I hope that doesn't come across as partisan; I'm not pro-First/anti-anyone else but I do think Wessex have been as culpable in recent years as First were in the preceding period.

 

[swifty]

Suspect you're right on the KF work - makes sense.

As with much of First during the 2001-2011 period and especially in latter days, the FSA/FB operations were just a seemingly continuous period of contraction. It really did allow SGBC and Wessex to come in and forge a business and you have to ask how and why Wessex were able to come in and get the UWE business anyway? Well, I think we all know why... part of that greater malaise.

Of course, First have been resurgent in the area in recent years and, to be honest, Wessex were massively complacent. There were any number of routes that should've been commercialised by Wessex (e.g. 581) but they were happy to keep on taking the money. You could argue it was a mirror image of what had happened 10 years or so earlier.

I hope that doesn't come across as partisan; I'm not pro-First/anti-anyone else but I do think Wessex have been as culpable in recent years as First were in the preceding period.

Wessex really have only got themselves to blame. They had the UWE work sewn up with subsidiary from UWE as well as First year students being given passes by UWE, guaranteeing a customer base. Yes First withdrew from the 99 and X84 but they hung on in there commercially with the 70, there's not much more you can compete on when ones getting funded by the Uni itself.

Wessex became complacent, the student base developed pure contempt for the company (terrible reliability, constant overcrowding and lack of capacity to name a few problems) and campaigners started calling for First to provide more services.

UWE then invited First in to provide more services and allegedly started withdrawing funding and the rest is history.

They've made some silly mistakes, look at the 71/2 they ran up Gloucester Road that got obliterated in the Ulink mess and died a slow death as a U service.

 

[winston270twm]

The two year Kings Ferry contract ended last year, we're now into the additional two years that they agreed to run it for after the contract expired. I suspect it's not big enough for Kings Ferry to want to carry on with, especially if the base isnt being used for much else.

Kings Ferry's outstation is based at Volvo, Avonmouth I should imagine costs are fairly low, unless Kings Ferry were hoping for the network of services to be able to expand.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Wessex really have only got themselves to blame. They had the UWE work sewn up with subsidiary from UWE as well as First year students being given passes by UWE, guaranteeing a customer base. Yes First withdrew from the 99 and X84 but they hung on in there commercially with the 70, there's not much more you can compete on when ones getting funded by the Uni itself.

Wessex became complacent, the student base developed pure contempt for the company (terrible reliability, constant overcrowding and lack of capacity to name a few problems) and campaigners started calling for First to provide more services.

UWE then invited First in to provide more services and allegedly started withdrawing funding and the rest is history.

They've made some silly mistakes, look at the 71/2 they ran up Gloucester Road that got obliterated in the Ulink mess and died a slow death as a U service.

I agree with the points about Wessex/Rotala becoming complacent, Wessex/Rotala are too slow to react to problems / changes in travel patterns etc, they only react once it something is forced upon them, by which time it is normally too late.