I just wish they'd(being WECA/Bristol City Council contractors) hurry up and get the works in the centre/Cabot sorted. Absolute misery trying to transfer buses atm.
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DaveHarries
Established Member
Not quite what I was expecting when it was suggested electric buses are due for Bristol Airport work but it has been seen on a Facebook group is that 6x Irizar ie bendybuses are en-route for use at Bristol Airport. It is understood that they were originally for First's airport operations in Dublin but have been diverted here instead. 1 currently at Hengrove and 2 currently at Weston-super-Mare with 3 more due. The new buses are confirmed to be electric in the press release below. I would have attached a photo but it wouldn't be mine so I have asked for permission to use it and will post it here if allowed to do so.
Meanwhile it seems transition of the A1 to electric double-deck and the A3 to electric single-deck is nigh: no mention of what make of vehicle but Yutong would be my guess: U11DD for the A1 and E12 for the A3. No hint of due date for the new vehicles either.
www.bristolairport.co.uk
Meanwhile it seems transition of the A1 to electric double-deck and the A3 to electric single-deck is nigh: no mention of what make of vehicle but Yutong would be my guess: U11DD for the A1 and E12 for the A3. No hint of due date for the new vehicles either.
Aviation Minister announces that all A1 and A3 Airport Flyer buses will be electric
Bristol Airport will welcome 21 new electric buses in the new year, transforming the A1 and A3 Airport Flyer services operated by First Bus. The investment forms a key part of the Airport’s commitment to reach net zero operations by 2030, with the entire Airport Flyer fleet becoming fully electric.
www.bristolairport.co.uk
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If I had to hazard a guess, They might go for the E400 Electric.Not quite what I was expecting when it was suggested electric buses are due for Bristol Airport work but it has been seen on a Facebook group is that 6x Irizar ie bendybuses are en-route for use at Bristol Airport. It is understood that they were originally for First's airport operations in Dublin but have been diverted here instead. 1 currently at Hengrove and 2 currently at Weston-super-Mare with 3 more due. The new buses are confirmed to be electric in the press release below. I would have attached a photo but it wouldn't be mine so I have asked for permission to use it and will post it here if allowed to do so.
Meanwhile it seems transition of the A1 to electric double-deck and the A3 to electric single-deck is nigh: no mention of what make of vehicle but Yutong would be my guess: U11DD for the A1 and E12 for the A3. No hint of due date for the new vehicles either.
Aviation Minister announces that all A1 and A3 Airport Flyer buses will be electric
Bristol Airport will welcome 21 new electric buses in the new year, transforming the A1 and A3 Airport Flyer services operated by First Bus. The investment forms a key part of the Airport’s commitment to reach net zero operations by 2030, with the entire Airport Flyer fleet becoming fully electric.
aswilliamsuk
Member
- Joined
- 10 Jul 2016
- Messages
- 544
Rob Pymm (Commercial Director of First Bristol, Bath & West) is quoted in this local news article as saying "this spring": https://www.northsomersettimes.co.u...rport-receive-21-new-electric-buses-new-year/Not quite what I was expecting when it was suggested electric buses are due for Bristol Airport work but it has been seen on a Facebook group is that 6x Irizar ie bendybuses are en-route for use at Bristol Airport. It is understood that they were originally for First's airport operations in Dublin but have been diverted here instead. 1 currently at Hengrove and 2 currently at Weston-super-Mare with 3 more due. The new buses are confirmed to be electric in the press release below. I would have attached a photo but it wouldn't be mine so I have asked for permission to use it and will post it here if allowed to do so.
Meanwhile it seems transition of the A1 to electric double-deck and the A3 to electric single-deck is nigh: no mention of what make of vehicle but Yutong would be my guess: U11DD for the A1 and E12 for the A3. No hint of due date for the new vehicles either.
Aviation Minister announces that all A1 and A3 Airport Flyer buses will be electric
Bristol Airport will welcome 21 new electric buses in the new year, transforming the A1 and A3 Airport Flyer services operated by First Bus. The investment forms a key part of the Airport’s commitment to reach net zero operations by 2030, with the entire Airport Flyer fleet becoming fully electric.
I'd personally be quite surprised if they aren't Yutongs, especially with First's drive toward standardisation at the moment. I'd presume 16 'deckers and 5 singles, going on the number of workings on each (but it could be 17/4).
DaveHarries
Established Member
Further to this comment from me in reply #32,553...
Photo Credit: "BusTim" on the "FirstBus Enthusiasts" Facebook group
Dave
... I asked for permission to use the picture with the FB post and the person allowed it so attached here is the photo of the 2x Irizar IE at Weston: if these got put into some kind of Bristol Airport livery the appearence might be very good.
Photo Credit: "BusTim" on the "FirstBus Enthusiasts" Facebook group
Dave
Attachments
Whiteway215
Established Member
These are PROBABLY what were scheduled to be 13009-14 of the Dublin order. 13001-08 have been delivered there.
DaveHarries
Established Member
Could be but I don't know: someone on the "First Bus Ireland (Aircoach/Matthews)" thread has said that it wasn't only articulated ones that were expected for Dublin:
HTIOI,
Dave
-Colly405-
Member
Just seen 39321 on the Centre, looks like an engineering run. It hasn't tracked since November...
DaveHarries
Established Member
A photo surfaced yesterday on Facebook - "First Bus Wales and West Enthusiast" group - of 2 unregistered Yutongs (1x E10 / E12 and 1x U11DD - in the depot of Newport Bus. They both appear to be in the same shade of green as that used on the current Electric bus fleet in Bristol and Weston so could well be more new vehicles for the Bristol / Weston patch. A news article on the Airport's website late in 2025 - https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/co...-and-a3-airport-flyer-buses-will-be-electric/ for anyone who hasn't seen it already - that new electrics for the A1 and A3 are due in the Spring but if these were some of them I would have thought they would be in different colours as per the E400MMC buses used on the A1 at present. It could be though that WECA have said the Airport buses have to be green as well but a bit of colour variety would be nice.
When I zoomed in on the picture it seemed as if the U11DD had no destination equipment so may have been en-route to Pelican Bus at Castleford for a few finishing touches. The attached picture is not mine but was attached to the Facebook post referred to.
Dave
When I zoomed in on the picture it seemed as if the U11DD had no destination equipment so may have been en-route to Pelican Bus at Castleford for a few finishing touches. The attached picture is not mine but was attached to the Facebook post referred to.
Dave
Attachments
aswilliamsuk
Member
- Joined
- 10 Jul 2016
- Messages
- 544
I'm not convinced these are new pictures - a number of AI generated posts with old photos have appeared on such groups recently, so I'm kinda waiting for further confirmation on this. Especially as it was an unfamiliar contributor.
Wouldn't think they are for Airport Flyers anyway, they don't seem to have luggage racks inside judging from the photos.
-Colly405-
Member
Is there any known transmission issue on the gas buses?
I've been on a few lately that constantly jerk when accelerating up Stoke Lane towards UWE and up Rosedown Ave. One today, same issue and also had a blue and red gauge on the top right of the dash flashing away...
I've been on a few lately that constantly jerk when accelerating up Stoke Lane towards UWE and up Rosedown Ave. One today, same issue and also had a blue and red gauge on the top right of the dash flashing away...
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
For the first time this year, I had reason to be in central Bristol (rather than the 'burbs) and had a few observations and was wondering if the usual local experts e.g. @-Colly405- etc were able to confirm how typical or not they were...
First's Lawrence Hill fleet looked pretty unkempt. I saw 37426 and it didn't look like it had seen a vehicle wash for a while, but there were others as well. The Hengrove fleet looked better so is the LH wash out of use?
I was at Temple Meads and saw the 16 and 43 calling in. The 43 was a B9 (half full?) and the 16 was a Streetlite and whilst it was about 1630 (so sort of rush hour esque), both routes had very healthy loads. The 16 probably had 25 on board - are these typical loads?
In fact, loadings looked good on many services, almost like back to pre-Covid levels. I caught the 9 to/from Brislington P&R and it was full both ways with some left behind on the inbound run.
Was it representative, or was I seeing something atypical/what I wanted to see?
EDIT: was driving through Chew Valley recently and came across this familiar machine
First's Lawrence Hill fleet looked pretty unkempt. I saw 37426 and it didn't look like it had seen a vehicle wash for a while, but there were others as well. The Hengrove fleet looked better so is the LH wash out of use?
I was at Temple Meads and saw the 16 and 43 calling in. The 43 was a B9 (half full?) and the 16 was a Streetlite and whilst it was about 1630 (so sort of rush hour esque), both routes had very healthy loads. The 16 probably had 25 on board - are these typical loads?
In fact, loadings looked good on many services, almost like back to pre-Covid levels. I caught the 9 to/from Brislington P&R and it was full both ways with some left behind on the inbound run.
Was it representative, or was I seeing something atypical/what I wanted to see?
EDIT: was driving through Chew Valley recently and came across this familiar machine
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-Colly405-
Member
I can't comment on the actual functionality of the LH wash, but your observations are fairly on the ball I would say, both regarding cleanliness and occupancy.
I've moved to predominantly getting the m4 in to town (morning peak, mid-week) as quite often the m1 and T1 are full by the time they get to Great Stoke. Begbrook regularly suffers from full m1/m3 not stopping too, with potential pax being mopped up by the m4.
I've moved to predominantly getting the m4 in to town (morning peak, mid-week) as quite often the m1 and T1 are full by the time they get to Great Stoke. Begbrook regularly suffers from full m1/m3 not stopping too, with potential pax being mopped up by the m4.
The 16 is fairly limited by it's routing around Temple Meads, otherwise it could have a lot more passengers. The one I had this morning(30/01/26) did fairly well with it's loading, almost every seat was taken before I boarded. Shame the bus was a streetlite though but they're not to everyone's taste!I was at Temple Meads and saw the 16 and 43 calling in. The 43 was a B9 (half full?) and the 16 was a Streetlite and whilst it was about 1630 (so sort of rush hour esque), both routes had very healthy loads. The 16 probably had 25 on board - are these typical loads?
The 16 does tend to get busy around town and Barton hill, but I think a key issue is that it’s not getting demand anywhere else. I do definitely think there’s places which needed a bus route more urgently than many of the 16 sections (Bromley heath is a core example). The typical load is what you described however I believe the 43 could get large improvements in upcoming months, especially with Keynsham depot opening, which will be a great opportunity to increase core route frequency like the 43.For the first time this year, I had reason to be in central Bristol (rather than the 'burbs) and had a few observations and was wondering if the usual local experts e.g. @-Colly405- etc were able to confirm how typical or not they were...
First's Lawrence Hill fleet looked pretty unkempt. I saw 37426 and it didn't look like it had seen a vehicle wash for a while, but there were others as well. The Hengrove fleet looked better so is the LH wash out of use?
I was at Temple Meads and saw the 16 and 43 calling in. The 43 was a B9 (half full?) and the 16 was a Streetlite and whilst it was about 1630 (so sort of rush hour esque), both routes had very healthy loads. The 16 probably had 25 on board - are these typical loads?
In fact, loadings looked good on many services, almost like back to pre-Covid levels. I caught the 9 to/from Brislington P&R and it was full both ways with some left behind on the inbound run.
Was it representative, or was I seeing something atypical/what I wanted to see?
EDIT: was driving through Chew Valley recently and came across this familiar machine
It gets demand in Knowle/Totterdown. Least from my own personal experience
Citistar
Member
16 is interesting. From my observations, it loads reasonably well between Fishponds and Kingswood, Redfield and the Centre and the Centre and Knowle West. I would suggest the dead weight on it is around Kingsway and Whitchurch. There's certainly no reason for it to drag around Windways Estate in both directions - the 92 was withdrawn from there for good reason.
I don't see how or why it couldn't terminate at South Bristol Hospital. Stop is well served and use and could layover with the m1/75/76 outside the college.
I do feel south Bristol is significantly overserved, especially compared to places like west and east Bristol, where routes like the 42 are hourly and the 3/4 aren’t the most frequent either. Emerson’s Green is no better with 48x/49x both running every 40 minutes respectively and the m3 always being full and standing being half hourly, but perhaps this is a fault with the council for overfunding south Bristol
Quick Edit: Perhaps the opening of Keynsham depot could bring the re-extension of the 42 to Keynsham as well as frequency increases in the 17 and 42, which would be greatly appreciated.
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-Colly405-
Member
Can anyone clarify what Keynsham depot is expected to be used for?
Marcus Fryer
Member
- Joined
- 27 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 893
Presumably initially for the ex Bath Bus Company operations (A4 and Bath City/Skyline tours), to enable these to be transferred to FWOE? As per the discussion on the ‘West Country Independents’ thread.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
To be honest, I’d expect Keynsham to be closed and integrated into Bath depot in due course
DaveLondon
Member
- Joined
- 5 May 2019
- Messages
- 153
My so
Sources are saying that it will be retained as electrification at BH will mean there is insufficient capacity there. Time will tell.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I could see it retained whilst electrification is being done but not in the longer term. Bit much for 20 or so vehicles.
Citistar
Member
I think it very much depends on what level of support is retained for bus services in the area. If funding is kept in place for services such as 17 and 522, then the depot perhaps looks viable. I can see it perhaps taking some of the strain off Wells depot as well, although if the rumoured axe is looming over the Midsomer Norton area services, then perhaps that becomes less of a likelihood.
The problem is that South Bristol has been really poorly treated for the last 20 years or so prior to the introduction of the 16 and 36. The lack of any through service to the City Centre from Knowle West was a serious oversight for many years. Now that 3 and 4 do pretty much the same thing, i don't think they're unreasonably poor in frequency. The 42 definitely needs some attention - it suffers from the same problem as the 92 did around Windways at Whitchurch - trundling around estates of a pitifully poor frequency and getting stuck in all manner of congestion while nothing is done about keeping bus routes clear of needless on road parking. As for Emersons Green, i'm amazed bus services out there have remained as frequent as they have. The route along Emerson Way is a textbook example of how not to build for public transport provision. Unrestricted parking and violent speed bumps are both dire for running buses along.
Tom Clayton
Member
The 42, 43 , 349 and 17s will be run from there
I’ve been hearing rumours along the line of the 349 being withdrawn from April.
Other rumours I’ve started to hear over the past day or so on the buses include the 19 being cut, 45 and 73 being merged, as well as the A2 in North Somerset returning replacing the 125/X5/X11. Additionally the 43 to become a circular?
I don’t know how much longer until the changes are out but they sound large but also don’t sound to be the best if any of these rumours are true.
father_jack
Established Member
- Joined
- 26 Jan 2010
- Messages
- 1,558
The problem with east Bristol in my opinion is the short 43s. A 6/7/17/42/44/45 can be cancelled while there are short 43s sitting after St George fountain waiting time almost empty. Needs control room/"TC" intervention to cancel these to fill in any cancellations on the above routes- provided driver route knowledge doesn't cause an issue.