West Country Independents

[diffywood]

from Crosville Motor Services Ltd WSM facebook page

I write to confirm after the recent confirmation from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner that the cancellation of certain services in WSM has been accepted. It is with very deep regret that this decision has been made but one that has been reached with much thought and reaction to ever changing operating conditions, the apparent impacts of which have resulted in these unfortunate announcements. Crosville has attempted to negotiate through such challenges but sadly the reality is that these decisions have had to be made.

The following commercial services will be withdrawn from 17th April 2017:

- 103
- 107

Furthermore, due to the loss of financial subsidy support as a result of the North Somerset Budget cuts for the new financial year which, as most will recognize, is a wider challenge impacting the full UK area right now, the following further services will be withdrawn from 30th April 2017:

- N3
- Service 5
- Service 16
- Service 14

Crosville still very much wishes to remain operating within the local bus network and we will continue to push on with our valued extensive services that are operated from our depot within Crosville, Weston super Mare. Whilst the cancellations are evidently a blow to the operation, the future is very much promising and will continue to be progressive as we have always hoped.

Going forward, the continued service network will be as follows:

- Service 100 (coastrider) – Increased timetable headway mid-March 2017 along with new full DDA Open Tops.

- Service 4/4A
- Service 106
- Service 111
- Service 112
- Service 113
- Service 114
- Service 62
- Service 66
- Service 67 (new service awarded by SCC)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

from Crosville Motor Services Ltd WSM facebook page

I write to confirm after the recent confirmation from the Office of the Traffic Commissioner that the cancellation of certain services in WSM has been accepted. It is with very deep regret that this decision has been made but one that has been reached with much thought and reaction to ever changing operating conditions, the apparent impacts of which have resulted in these unfortunate announcements. Crosville has attempted to negotiate through such challenges but sadly the reality is that these decisions have had to be made.

The following commercial services will be withdrawn from 17th April 2017:

- 103
- 107

Furthermore, due to the loss of financial subsidy support as a result of the North Somerset Budget cuts for the new financial year which, as most will recognize, is a wider challenge impacting the full UK area right now, the following further services will be withdrawn from 30th April 2017:

- N3
- Service 5
- Service 16
- Service 14

Crosville still very much wishes to remain operating within the local bus network and we will continue to push on with our valued extensive services that are operated from our depot within Crosville, Weston super Mare. Whilst the cancellations are evidently a blow to the operation, the future is very much promising and will continue to be progressive as we have always hoped.

Going forward, the continued service network will be as follows:

- Service 100 (coastrider) – Increased timetable headway mid-March 2017 along with new full DDA Open Tops.

- Service 4/4A
- Service 106
- Service 111
- Service 112
- Service 113
- Service 114
- Service 62
- Service 66
- Service 67 (new service awarded by SCC)

Big news - you wonder about the business given their high profile move with the 107.

 

[carlberry]

Big news - you wonder about the business given their high profile move with the 107.

The 107 move does appear very odd (with new vehicles) if you're going to throw in the towel so quickly, however up to now First have always just rolled over and it dosent look like they're going to this time.

On the other hand the business must now have lots of commitments because of EDF and, with spring enhancements to the open toppers, it might just be a case of not enough drivers!

 

[DaveHarries]

from Crosville Motor Services Ltd WSM facebook page

[.....]

Going forward, the continued service network will be as follows:

[.....]
- Service 67 (new service awarded by SCC)

Sounds like CMS have taken the Wells to Burnham-on-Sea route? I thought Mendip Connections were to run that though so perhaps a joint operation by MC and CMS.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sounds like CMS have taken the Wells to Burnham-on-Sea route? I thought Mendip Connections were to run that though so perhaps a joint operation by MC and CMS.

Dave

Thought MCT were doing Wedmore to Wells and that there was a tender for Burnham to Wedmore in the offing.

 

[THarris123]

Looks as if First has won on the 14 then.

Didn't take long.

 

[THarris123]

Thought MCT were doing Wedmore to Wells and that there was a tender for Burnham to Wedmore in the offing.

Crosville is operating Wedmore to Burnham only. Mendip Community Transport is operating Wedmore to Wells and Wells to Wookey Hole.

Two reasons for Crosville withdrawal:-
1) Staff shortages
2) Hinkley Point work

They've only got rid of 103, 105/5, 107 and then 14 and 16. All the drivers will presumably move to Hinkley work.

107 was a big failure all round. When I saw it on Tuesday it was very very clear that First were winning on that service - 103 was a different matter though and First appeared to be losing money on it.

I wonder if First might run 14 and 16. Apart from that very little changes need to be done. They might increase the frequency on 3 and obviously they've registered the 5, but that's about it.

The E200s from 107 are very likely to be moved to Hinkley.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Crosville is operating Wedmore to Burnham only. Mendip Community Transport is operating Wedmore to Wells and Wells to Wookey Hole.

Two reasons for Crosville withdrawal:-
1) Staff shortages
2) Hinkley Point work

They've only got rid of 103, 105/5, 107 and then 14 and 16. All the drivers will presumably move to Hinkley work.

107 was a big failure all round. When I saw it on Tuesday it was very very clear that First were winning on that service - 103 was a different matter though and First appeared to be losing money on it.

I wonder if First might run 14 and 16. Apart from that very little changes need to be done. They might increase the frequency on 3 and obviously they've registered the 5, but that's about it.

The E200s from 107 are very likely to be moved to Hinkley.

Isn't the X7 going to run to form a 15 min headway with the 3?

 

[THarris123]

Isn't the X7 going to run to form a 15 min headway with the 3?

Not sure. I suspect 3 will either continue at every 20 mins or increased to every 15. Can they really fit deckers on the 3 route though - if X7 is running the same route and using deckers, will it work?

 

[freetoview33]

Isn't the X7 going to run to form a 15 min headway with the 3?

Yes it is.

 

[THarris123]

Yes it is.

How do we know this? Do we have a copy of the timetables then?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

How do we know this? Do we have a copy of the timetables then?

https://travelwest.info/bus/investing-north-somerset-bus-services

Following this investment, First will enhance their service 3 to serve new areas and to complement the new service X7, which will serve areas of Weston. This will provide new links to Clevedon, Nailsea and Bristol for West Wick residents and the combination of services will mean buses every 15 minutes through West Wick.

 

[THarris123]

https://travelwest.info/bus/investing-north-somerset-bus-services

Following this investment, First will enhance their service 3 to serve new areas and to complement the new service X7, which will serve areas of Weston. This will provide new links to Clevedon, Nailsea and Bristol for West Wick residents and the combination of services will mean buses every 15 minutes through West Wick.

The combination of services will mean buses every 15 minutes through West Wick. That doesn't mean that 3 will necessarily be 3 an hour (i.e. 1 X7 an hour, then the other 3 an hour will be service 3) - service 3 might be extended to West Wick every half hour, with the other ones every half hour not extended. Then X7 might be every half hour (every hour to Bristol and every hour to West Wick). Simple answer is we don't know exactly what form these services will take without looking at the timetables. I very much expect that First have changed their plans slightly too since Crosville's announcement.

 

[Colly405]

Have tried to compare First and CMS current services using their respective maps, but that for CMS is rather useless.

Can anyone who knows the networks in WSM confirm what routes CMS and First will still compete on after the known changes, and what areas/current routes are likely to be unserved going forward unless changes are made by First/NSC/others?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The combination of services will mean buses every 15 minutes through West Wick. That doesn't mean that 3 will necessarily be 3 an hour (i.e. 1 X7 an hour, then the other 3 an hour will be service 3) - service 3 might be extended to West Wick every half hour, with the other ones every half hour not extended. Then X7 might be every half hour (every hour to Bristol and every hour to West Wick). Simple answer is we don't know exactly what form these services will take without looking at the timetables. I very much expect that First have changed their plans slightly too since Crosville's announcement.

Given that you were the person saying the 3 would be increased to 15 mins potentially etc, it is only you who is speculating

All the press release indicates is that Weston to West Wick will get a 15 min service. That will undoubtedly have an impact on that corridor (obviously) but, as you say, how that then manifests itself in reality, we don't know yet.

 

[D2007wsm]

Crosville will not compete on any service with First directly. They will only be operating the 4, 100 and 106. All of the services they compete directly with First on are being stopped.

With regard to the 3 route, certainly the Worle end of the route can handle deckers as there used to be several college services which followed this route. RUMOUR has it, Streetlites will be on the 3s.

 

[THarris123]

Crosville will not compete on any service with First directly. They will only be operating the 4, 100 and 106. All of the services they compete directly with First on are being stopped.

With regard to the 3 route, certainly the World and of the route can handle dealers as there used to be several college services which followed this route. RUMOUR has it, Streetlites will be on the 3s.

Will Streetlites really fit on the 3?

 

[winston270twm]

Two reasons for Crosville withdrawal:-
1) Staff shortages
2) Hinkley Point work
.

You missed the third reason for withdrawal:

3) First Group are their joint venture partner on Hinkley Point contract

 

[freetoview33]

You missed the third reason for withdrawal:

3) First Group are their joint venture partner on Hinkley Point contract

That shouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

[winston270twm]

That shouldn't have anything to do with it.

It shouldn't, but the contract is too big for CMS to undertake by themselves

They why have CMS relinquished all services that compete with First, even those that were doing well?

 

[D2007wsm]

QUOTE=THarris123;2899058]Will Streetlites really fit on the 3?[/QUOTE]

Yep, Streetlites do fit on the 3s as the Streetlites already in Weston appear on the 3 on occasion. Darts are suitable as well, in fact there was a Dart on the 3 today rather than the usual E200.

 

[swifty]

That shouldn't have anything to do with it.

Exactly CMS are competing against First Somerset & Avon, the 50/50 joint venture with JJP Holdings is with First South West and benefits both parties.

 

[winston270twm]

Exactly CMS are competing against First Somerset & Avon, the 50/50 joint venture with JJP Holdings is with First South West and benefits both parties.

I don't see that it matters with division of First CMS are competiting with & working with on Hinkley Point joint venture.

It also benefits FSA & First Group now that the direct competition in WSM from CMS is being removed.

 

[carlberry]

You missed the third reason for withdrawal:

3) First Group are their joint venture partner on Hinkley Point contract

As they were at least a year before the 107 even started!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

You missed the third reason for withdrawal:

3) First Group are their joint venture partner on Hinkley Point contract

Surely the most obvious reason is that they're not making sufficient money? I'm not convinced there's the trade on the 103 to compete with First in any case, and trying to get enough patronage on the 107 to pay for brand new e200s!

 

[Dai Corner]

Surely the most obvious reason is that they're not making sufficient money? I'm not convinced there's the trade on the 103 to compete with First in any case, and trying to get enough patronage on the 107 to pay for brand new e200s!

Yep - why compete for patronage on stage carriage work when you can guaranteed income on a contract?

 

[Martin1988]

Hope nobody minds me going off topic but last tuesday I had to use the Eurotaxis 680 service to go from Yate to SGS College. Despite it running 10 mins in front of the 82 out of Yate Bus Station and getting to the college quicker, most of the students seemed to be opting to wait for the latter service.

Also despite the fact the 680 is now the only bus between Yate and UWE it seems to carry very few passengers there.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to why this might be? Is it more the case that the 82 offers greater flexibility? The fact it is better value for money or the fact the 680 despite being available to the public is considered as a "school bus"?

 

[Marc]

Hope nobody minds me going off topic but last tuesday I had to use the Eurotaxis 680 service to go from Yate to SGS College. Despite it running 10 mins in front of the 82 out of Yate Bus Station and getting to the college quicker, most of the students seemed to be opting to wait for the latter service.

Also despite the fact the 680 is now the only bus between Yate and UWE it seems to carry very few passengers there.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to why this might be? Is it more the case that the 82 offers greater flexibility? The fact it is better value for money or the fact the 680 despite being available to the public is considered as a "school bus"?

most peopel going to uwe wont just be travelling to and from yate and if theyre doing it regularly will want a season ticket. i think id rather buy a first season and put up with the hassel of changing buses than limit myself to one bus a day each way.

 

[g4mby]

most peopel going to uwe wont just be travelling to and from yate and if theyre doing it regularly will want a season ticket. i think id rather buy a first season and put up with the hassel of changing buses than limit myself to one bus a day each way.

That's a very important point to remember.

I no longer commute from Yate to Bristol each day but for me Wessex used to offer the quickest and most convenient service on their X27. First offered the most flexible option when they introduced the X46 as Hambrook, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell and North Yate users had just one bus per hour into Bristol if they used the Wessex service but two or more services each hour if they used First.

Some passengers may have had to walk a little further when starting or completing their bus journey but it was obvious to me at the time that First's journey options were far more attractive than Wessex's limited and perhaps better direct option. After just four months or so Wessex withdrew the X27 as clearly they couldn't compete with First's better service taking into account what passengers might want to do on days when they didn't want to travel directly between their place of work/study and home.

 

[Martin1988]

Thanks Marc and G4mby for your responses. The points you've made make total sense.

I much preferred the X46 but it seemed to be the case that a lot of the regular X27 passengers continued to use that until it was withdrawn.

That said the 462 only offers a handful of journeys but seems to have a regular base of passengers. Then again most of the passengers seem to be commuters as opposed to students