The issue with the train is that there is still the need for passengers to get a further bus from Temple Meads if they are heading to the central area (which is the aim of the P&R), whereas the P&R will be more convenient for the central area, regardless of the still-to-be-confirmed routing of service 9.
Still a market for the bus, the train is little use for people going to anchor road and city centre.
Portway was always the quieter of the P&R and considerably smaller than Briz. Take away even part of the existing bus trade and it seems more marginal. Does that mean shorts between city centre and Briz (where demand is higher)?
It will provide marginally better access from the east to the Millennium Square area and Harbourside, and from the west to the Temple Meads area. And the Portway service has always provided a local service along the Portway for Shirehampton and Sea Mills.
Clearly different 12s
Not really sure of the relevance of Oxford except that it's another cross-city P&R, like Truro.
Of more significance is that the route is being linked and then simply numbered "9". Unless there's some bespoke livery, that makes it sound like any other city bus service, much as in places like Salisbury. More problematic is the Bristol traffic - we've seen a number of routes disconnected (like the 3/4 being separated from the 42/43) as reliability is appalling, and I'm not certain that there's any great untapped cross-city flow that's being catered for. It's a bit odd TBH
Also, you wonder what will happen with the Portway service once the train station opens?
They are going to Bath Depot for either the park and rides there or for Uni Work.
I don't think they're copying Oxford, or Truro, or Taunton. It's just that the Portway extends to serve Temple Meads currently, whilst the Briz extends past TM into the city so there's an overlap that, theoretically, can be rationalised and so save on resources.
Stagecoach don't have too many dual-door vehicles in the provinces though they did have some on Cambridge Park and Ride IIRC but they were subsequently replaced by single door versions. Remember that until CT Plus arrived with ex London bendies, the P&R routes were always single doored vehicles (with Portway having single decks in B7Ls).
No, you’re quite right and I’d totally forgotten about those 57 plate B9s that they had on the 903 (Long Ashton). Incidentally, Wessex ran the 902 Portway with Plaxton Centros - again why I’m surprised at Stagecoach linking the two routes when one is so much busier and that will be exacerbated by the train service introduction. Don’t recall Wessex operating Briz - thought First had that til CT got it?
Wessex never ran the Brislington or Portway P&R. The three door Citaros CT Plus used were the first time those routes had not been single door.
Wessex did have the Portway for a period (photo courtest of Neil Jennings) between 2007 and 2011
www.flickr.com
Don't know about now but it was considerably smaller with 500 spaces compared with Briz being nearer 1200. That affects things, and probably explains why it was traditionally single decks under First and Wessex before the bendis arrived.
Wessex did have the Portway for a period (photo courtest of Neil Jennings) between 2007 and 2011
BX07KPO Flights Hallmark 7003
Volvo B7RLE / Plaxton Centro B49F , new June 2007 on 902 Portway , Avonmouth Park and Ride at Old Market , Bristol. Flights bought 24 new buses for the Bristol operations in 2007 . CT Plus of London took over operation of Park and Ride services 902 and 904 in September 2011 using 2002 ex London...
Don't know about now but it was considerably smaller with 500 spaces compared with Briz being nearer 1200. That affects things, and probably explains why it was traditionally single decks under First and Wessex before the bendis arrived.
As I say, I can't see the rationale behind extending it cross city other than to ratonalise the overlap but in truth, they could simply cut the Portway short with the rail service starting.
I’d completely forgotten about that period!Expect to see a few vehicles from Stagecoach Newcastle as well, probably 11284 / 11293 / 11300 / 11301 judging from bustimes.
Also 11118 and 11119 (Chesterfield) and 10454 (Exeter).
Here's Stagecoach's own link to the new 12 timetable. Interestingly, the Sunday service will be running full route to Parkway...
It being extended on a Sunday is about the only good think I can say about these changes.
I sware on the first website it said the T1 would call at U.W.E but that seems to be removed
Yes. It feels like there have been more discussions behind the scenes on the Thornbury routes (on topic as this includes the 10 as well as the T1) than perhaps were anticipated...
www.stagecoachbus.com
I don’t think it’s unfair to say Stagecoach couldn’t give a toss about local customers during race week when they can grab a fiver off thousands of tourists for a single 2 mile journey between the station and racecourse. Wonder how that will work tomorrow with no (or very limited) trains.
The traffic commissioner will have something to say on the subject if local services are cancelled to prioritise Cheltenham Festival. It won't be the first time the Western traffic commissioner has taken action against Stagecoach for prioritising major events over local service provision.
