abus have done three buses in the peaks on x9 since it started. first lunchtime x9 seems to be whatever is spare. often deckers but sometimes darts or anything else inebtween.
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West Country Independents
- Thread starter Martin1988
- Start date
abus have done three buses in the peaks on x9 since it started. first lunchtime x9 seems to be whatever is spare. often deckers but sometimes darts or anything else inebtween.
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Marcus Fryer
Member
- Joined
- 27 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 891
Thanks for the clarification. For some reason I'd got it into my head that Abus only operated off-peak when they started 'trading' as First. I must have been confusing it with Saturdays, when First run the whole service.
freetoview33
Established Member
I saw a Wessex branded 42 at Southmead Hospital today on the 505! I was going to say it was at the wrong hospital!
I dunno the ones I have seen seem to be doing better than that. They've already drawn an angry reaction from Andrew Sherrington in the Chronicle!
Are Wessex turning around their buses via the bus station? If so could First block access..
So far there has been no retaliation from First however as TheGrandWazoo says it's early days.
Whiteway215
Established Member
Wessex are coming in from Weston doing a circuit of the bus station and stopping / picking up on Dorchester Street.
Managed to observe the 4 and 14 (from the pub) yesterday evening. Split of passengers seems to be in the range of 70:30-80:20 First:Wessex.
One thing I noted is that all of Wessex's buses are appearing on the real time information, whereas not all of First's are.
With Wessex being timetable two minutes ahead of First, if a First vehicle is not tracking, it makes it look as though a passenger would have a very long wait compared with Wessex, even though in reality the difference is only two minutes.
This is free publicity and First should be hot on it.
One thing I noted is that all of Wessex's buses are appearing on the real time information, whereas not all of First's are.
With Wessex being timetable two minutes ahead of First, if a First vehicle is not tracking, it makes it look as though a passenger would have a very long wait compared with Wessex, even though in reality the difference is only two minutes.
This is free publicity and First should be hot on it.
There was one on the 506 today.
freetoview33
Established Member
What was the point in branding them for Bath just to use them in Bristol?
THarris123
Established Member
Just remember that Abus used to use their 42 branded buses on other services every so often too.
They'll be in Bristol mainly due to maintenance or MOTs.
They'll be in Bristol mainly due to maintenance or MOTs.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Have they closed Burnett depot for maintenance?
Wessex have always used this approach to branding! There was a time a few years ago where they appeared to have more brands than routes, yet rarely bothered putting vehicles on the correct routes.
freetoview33
Established Member
What brands have they had since they came?
I can think of the following
Wessex Connect (White/Black/Blue versions)
Royal Bath
U-Link
The Eighties
The X27
One 2 One
Uni Bus
Wessex
Wessex Red
Wessex Blue
Wessex Star
One/Onetwo
Park & Ride branding
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I also found this on Twitter from Feb, if anyone wants a good laugh!
"CityFox Bus
@CityFoxBus
We offer local business' the opportunity to advertise on our buses and taxis across Bristol, Bath & Plymouth."
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Nothing compared with the gems on Mr Hand's twitter feed. In fact, a semi regular poster on here has taken him to task recently.
However, this is the best....
@NationalLottery Your app is seriously poor.
@RhysHand Hi, we believe you may be looking for the UK Lottery account @TNLUK, this is the Irish Lottery Twitter account.
Epic fail
:roll:PhilStockley
Member
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2016
- Messages
- 76
I can confirm that we at CityFox would be happy to talk about advertising opportunities both now and in the future. Not sure why it's funny, perhaps someone could enlighten me. All anyone ever has to do is ask.
Nothing compared with the gems on Mr Hand's twitter feed. In fact, a semi regular poster on here has taken him to task recently.
However, this is the best....
@NationalLottery Your app is seriously poor.
@RhysHand Hi, we believe you may be looking for the UK Lottery account @TNLUK, this is the Irish Lottery Twitter account.
Epic fail
I think it's even funnier how many people are so interested in my life, rather sweet in a way❤️❤️
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I don't "interested" is quite the word. Perhaps bemused. Maybe concerned (in a Christian way) :neutral:
Save wasting any more time. Email me any questions to Rhys.Hand@cityfoxgroup.co.uk and I'll respond with open answers.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
KernowFox.......(ahem)
You called my child ?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
No, don't disturb me. I'm praying for you....:cry:
freetoview33
Established Member
Do you actually have any buses at the moment? As the link on the main city fox website redirects to Translink/Ulster Bus!
1 - Yes
2 - Thank - you for bringing this to my attention, which website has this error ?
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Don't love me... Love God and let him into your life, be more Christian, be more charitableLev 19:11
No comment ......
freetoview33
Established Member
http://www.cityfoxgroup.co.uk/careers/4593107474 Link at the bottom!
cityfoxbus.co.uk goes nowhere and the kernow fox website links to a non existent twitter.
Are any bus services in the planning? As currently the only listed one was the 2015 boxing day service
cityfoxbus.co.uk goes nowhere and the kernow fox website links to a non existent twitter.
Are any bus services in the planning? As currently the only listed one was the 2015 boxing day service
The new CityFox Group website was only launched Monday, but yes, I note the link is incorrect. I will ensure our Commercial Officer updates this. Apologies.
The CityFox Bus website is under construction ready for December.
freetoview33
Established Member
Okay I will let you off! I didn't know it was only just launched!
Colly405
Member
Having no links to any company that operates buses or taxis in the Bristol area, I do find it quite amusing that this thread, the First Bristol one and the Independents one often takes the following approach (and no offence meant to any individual poster on here, at all, these are just examples...):
First make a statement, let's say about the number of buses they are getting new this year. People accept it but keep questioning to find out what and when, even though it soon becomes obvious that the original statement may not in the end be 100% true. Do they get laughed at for making the original statement? This with the background that they have been known to make wrong decisions that they later reverse (e.g. cutting the 17A, urgently replacing it with the 19B, soon to become the 19A).
Wessex make commercial decisions that later turn out to be flawed (Service 3, anyone?). People have a bit of a go, but accept it. They put 42-branded buses on the 506 - we comment, but do we laugh at them?
CityFox make decisions that, for whatever reasons, turn out as non-starters (take Kernow Fox itself, perhaps?), and we lay in to them. Their (new?) website has a broken link, and we criticise. Do we do the same with the broken links that *do* occur from time to time on First's or Wessex's websites?
Here's a thought... As far as this forum is concerned, will CityFox ever be able to do anything right, or are posters on here secretly encouraging them to fail?
As far as I can tell, City Fox Group is a young company set up by a young bloke who wants to make a go of it having worked for other local transport companies. As probably any young 'entrepreneur' would tell you, they are bound to make mistakes, and will hopefully learn from any that they do make. The Group has strengthened its Board lately, with the addition of an experienced transport executive. Let's give them a chance, and stop being so quick to criticise?
And perhaps, just perhaps, let's consider whether on a thread about buses it is appropriate to comment about an individual's *personal* attitude on social media (that's not to say, of course, that individuals in the public spotlight shouldn't be very aware that what they post in a personal capacity can still affect their reputation...)
Let me repeat, I have no links to any company mentioned, and am not aiming this at any poster(s) on here, but I do just find this all a little uncomfortable...
First make a statement, let's say about the number of buses they are getting new this year. People accept it but keep questioning to find out what and when, even though it soon becomes obvious that the original statement may not in the end be 100% true. Do they get laughed at for making the original statement? This with the background that they have been known to make wrong decisions that they later reverse (e.g. cutting the 17A, urgently replacing it with the 19B, soon to become the 19A).
Wessex make commercial decisions that later turn out to be flawed (Service 3, anyone?). People have a bit of a go, but accept it. They put 42-branded buses on the 506 - we comment, but do we laugh at them?
CityFox make decisions that, for whatever reasons, turn out as non-starters (take Kernow Fox itself, perhaps?), and we lay in to them. Their (new?) website has a broken link, and we criticise. Do we do the same with the broken links that *do* occur from time to time on First's or Wessex's websites?
Here's a thought... As far as this forum is concerned, will CityFox ever be able to do anything right, or are posters on here secretly encouraging them to fail?
As far as I can tell, City Fox Group is a young company set up by a young bloke who wants to make a go of it having worked for other local transport companies. As probably any young 'entrepreneur' would tell you, they are bound to make mistakes, and will hopefully learn from any that they do make. The Group has strengthened its Board lately, with the addition of an experienced transport executive. Let's give them a chance, and stop being so quick to criticise?
And perhaps, just perhaps, let's consider whether on a thread about buses it is appropriate to comment about an individual's *personal* attitude on social media (that's not to say, of course, that individuals in the public spotlight shouldn't be very aware that what they post in a personal capacity can still affect their reputation...)
Let me repeat, I have no links to any company mentioned, and am not aiming this at any poster(s) on here, but I do just find this all a little uncomfortable...
THarris123
Established Member
So can you confirm what buses you currently have so we can all advertise? Can you confirm what bus services you have to advertise on as well?
That's what we find funny. We certainly don't find the bit about advertising on taxis amusing, as you're company already has an established well run taxi firm.
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A nice reply there Colly.
I think we all tend to criticise First, Wessex and Cityfox equally. We might tend to laugh and joke about Cityfox, but that's mainly because there is such little substance to the bus firm. There are a lot of false hopes that we hear of from Cityfox. It's not that any of us want Cityfox to fail - i personally would rather see them take over 51 in Bristol than Wessex and I'm sure given time they could become quite a force in Bristol, hopefully knocking Wessex out - who in my view have practically given up in Bristol.
I don't really like Wazoos post regarding Mr Hands Twitter account. It is completely up to him what he writes on there, however he does have to bear in mind that he is in the public's view being in such a position in Cityfox. I think if many people looked at m Twitter account, they would assume the only thing I do all day is moan and criticise First, but in reality I only use Twitter because it is a very quick and easy tool to contact First.
Mr Hands entrepreneurship is highly commendable, but before launching a bus company and ask for companies to advertise, it's usually a good idea to inform them of the services they will be used on and on what buses - double deckers or singles.
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Frankly, you may not like my post. I frankly don't like Mr Hands taking issues with specific drivers or staff and then putting on Twitter. If you have a complaint to make on anyone, then do so in the appropriate manner. To do otherwise prejudices any investigation.
Now, I admire the entrepreneurial spirit of people prepared to take a risk rather than be a cog in some corporate behemoth or just sit on their ar5e watching Loose Women. No issue with that; it is to be commended. The issue with CityFox is best illustrated by the Kernow "adventure". Nice website, lots of stuff on what they hope to do but what did we actually get? Some photos of a tatty ex W&D Solo being prepared for service but never actually appearing.
Countless FB and Twitter accounts, bold positive websites but little in the way of actual bus operation. Until that changes, Mr Hand can indeed post what he likes but in parallel, the scepticism may well remain. Just by actions not words.