Bristol Airport (by bus) Unavailable

[TravelDream]

Hi all,

I've been trying to book a train ticket from Cardiff to Bristol Airport Bus/ Bristol Airport (By Bus) (XPB). I've taken the route before and it is a pretty convenient way to get to the airport.

However, on the National Rail Enquires site and the GWR site, they both say that no tickets are available on the route.

That's pretty strange as the trains are still running from Cardiff to Bristol and the 'Bristol Airport Flyer' is still operating between Temple Meads and the Airport (https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/routes-and-maps/bristol-airport-flyer).

Has the route been withdrawn (if so is it permanent/ temporary?) or is there some sort of problem with ticketing this route?

Thanks.

 

[yorkie]

There are no buses in the timetable data feed (even if they are actually running in reality), so it's not possible to generate an itinerary.

 

[Watershed]

You should still be able to buy the ticket at any ticket machine that has Bristol Airport Bus in its 'station' database, and that doesn't insist on giving an itinerary. Or at any ticket office whose software doesn't insist on giving an itinerary.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Why on earth is the day return more expensive than the period return?

 

[py_megapixel]

And here is yet another problem with issuance of tickets requiring acceptance of a computer-generated itinerary *sigh*

 

[SargeNpton]

As I understand it, the dedicated airport buses on which the through tickets are valid are still suspended (even though other buses to the airport run).

 

[richw]

As I understand it, the dedicated airport buses on which the through tickets are valid are still suspended (even though other buses to the airport run).

I think you are correct, the airport buses are still with the events team at Bristol as far as i am aware too

 

[janb]

Why on earth is the day return more expensive than the period return?

Looking at the information provided on iKB and First Bus Bristol Airport Flyer | Bristol, Bath and the West | First Bus it looks like the existence of a day return add on for Bristol Temple Meads [BRI] to Bristol Airport Bus [H712/XPB] shouldn't exist, leaving the price higher than the period return should mean nobody ever issues it however. Also the fares are incorrect in the fares data as should be £8 single, £13 Period Return.

 

[XAM2175]

And here is yet another problem with issuance of tickets requiring acceptance of a computer-generated itinerary *sigh*

In light of the information suggesting that the buses are, in fact, not running, I'd suggest that the requirement for an itinerary is probably helpful for most passengers.

(though as noted in other threads previously the timetable data needs to be solid and it would be better if the system distinguished between "no tickets" and "no service")

 

[TravelDream]

As I understand it, the dedicated airport buses on which the through tickets are valid are still suspended (even though other buses to the airport run).

I don't quite get it.

The tickets are valid on the 'Bristol Airport Flyer' A1 bus operated by First Bus.
Here is the schedule from the First Bus website. https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/node_images/Bristol_Flyer_A1 final.pdf
It's clearly running at a reasonably frequent interval and stopping at Temple Meads.


Though with advanced fares, it is actually cheaper to just buy a CDF-Bristol ticket and then pay for the bus onboard so I may as well do that.
On prices too, I don't get why a day return on the route is more expensive than a period return.

 

[father_jack]

Why on earth is the day return more expensive than the period return?

An error- reported a decade or so ago !!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2021 ==

As I understand it, the dedicated airport buses on which the through tickets are valid are still suspended (even though other buses to the airport run).

The A1 airport bus came back into operation 16th May 2021, though using main streets and not the Metrobus guided busway.

Bristol Airport Flyer Express Bus Services

Find out the latest information on bus operations between Bristol Airport, Bristol City Centre and Weston-s-Mare.

www.bristolairport.co.uk

A1 Bristol Flyer​

We are pleased to announce that the A1 Bristol Flyer has re-commenced service, offering up to a 20-minute frequency.

To improve public transport connectivity between the Airport and Bristol, the A1 Bristol Flyer will be following the A2 connect route to also include Bristol Bus Station. The route change to the A1 Bristol Flyer allows us to provide a service covering more densely populated areas and offer a convenient and frequent public transport option for our passengers and staff.

 

[infobleep]

An error- reported a decade or so ago !!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2021 ==


The A1 airport bus came back into operation 16th May 2021, though using main streets and not the Metrobus guided busway.

Bristol Airport Flyer Express Bus Services

Find out the latest information on bus operations between Bristol Airport, Bristol City Centre and Weston-s-Mare.

www.bristolairport.co.uk

What is the reason it can't be fixed! The error that is?

Are rail tickets only valid on the A1 airport bus if it goes via guided busway?

 

[father_jack]

What is the reason it can't be fixed! The error that is?

Are rail tickets only valid on the A1 airport bus if it goes via guided busway?

Part 1- don't know.

Part 2- they weren't valid on A2 but i assume ok whatever way A1 goes ?

 

[TravelDream]

The tickets are now back on sale.

However, the bus operator is now 'unknown' with no information on the validty of the ticket on the bus. There is also no schedule for the bus. Instead booking sites reckon the connection is immediate and it takes 50 minutes. In reality the route take 30 minutes and operates every 20 minutes.

 

[alistairlees]

The tickets are now back on sale.

However, the bus operator is now 'unknown' with no information on the validty of the ticket on the bus. There is also no schedule for the bus. Instead booking sites reckon the connection is immediate and it takes 50 minutes. In reality the route take 30 minutes and operates every 20 minutes.

Well, that's what the data say: there's a 40 minute bus transfer from Bristol TM to Bristol Airport, but no schedules - like the time allowed to travel on the tube without giving any actual schedules. I realise the bus to the airport goes rather less frequently than tube trains do though!

It would be better if the timetables were added; but journey planners can only use the data they are given.