Bristol Metrobus

[carlberry]

I think there is just enough capacity for 34 bph, well this was the frequency mentioned in the metrobus documents. 20bph (m2) 10bph (A1) and 4bph (X1)

The X1 runs via Bower Ashton and Long Ashton. The X2 is the one that stays on the main road.

 

[freetoview33]

The X1 runs via Bower Ashton and Long Ashton. The X2 is the one that stays on the main road.

Back at the time it was the X1!

 

[carlberry]

Back at the time it was the X1!

It's going to become the C3 when the Congresbury local scheme gets launched in November.

 

[CD]

It's going to become the C3 when the Congresbury local scheme gets launched in November.

Oh no not more renumbering !!!!!!!!!

 

[InterCity:125]

The 78/79 are the Ts 1&2 now.

 

[goldisgood]

The 78/79 are the Ts 1&2 now.

They have been for a couple of months now, since changes at the end of May.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It's going to become the C3 when the Congresbury local scheme gets launched in November.

Surely C1 to go with...

1, 1, 1, A1, D1, m1, T1, U1, U1, X1 and Y1

 

[InterCity:125]

go between the City Centre & UWE in under 20 minutes.

It took 30 when I tried it!

 

[InterCity:125]

On a more positive note, the buses themselves seem very well built. I’m no fan of ADL products but there were no squeaky and rattling panels (like on every other bus I’ve ever been on, aside from the “Borismasters” in London), and despite the hot weather they were very cool; normally the top deck especially is unbearable during hot weather. It seems to have some kind of air cooling/conditioning system, but I’m not sure why they have openable windows as that means such systems don’t actually work as effectively as they should. A significant amount of water was pouring out of the outlet at the side of the bus at the top of the stairs where there was some kind of cooling equipment.

The buses are the new model of enviro 500, you can still see the old model operating the x services and the 50.

 

[goldisgood]

The buses are the new model of enviro 500, you can still see the old model operating the x services and the 50.

They're actually the Enviro 400 MMC bodywork - the Enviro 500 isn't sold over here any more, only in Asia and North America. The Enviro 400 MMC is for two axles, whilst the Enviro 500 is for three.

 

[InterCity:125]

They're actually the Enviro 400 MMC bodywork - the Enviro 500 isn't sold over here any more, only in Asia and North America. The Enviro 400 MMC is for two axles, whilst the Enviro 500 is for three.

I stand corrected

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Stoke Park northbound has now got its iPoint machine, but yesterday afternoon it wasn't displaying next bus information or selling tickets.

 

[-Colly405-]

Harry Stoke northbound doesn't even yet have a shelter. Or flag. Or timetable. Or filled-in-hole-in-the-ground.

OK, they have unitl January, but you would've thought that with the T1 going that way something would have been done by now. The orange barriers haven't moved since the T1 started in May!

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Harry Stoke northbound doesn't even yet have a shelter. Or flag. Or timetable. Or filled-in-hole-in-the-ground.

OK, they have unitl January, but you would've thought that with the T1 going that way something would have been done by now. The orange barriers haven't moved since the T1 started in May!

Same applies to Great Meadow N/W bound. Have all the stops on the m2 been done yet?

 

[D2007wsm]

The buses are the new model of enviro 500, you can still see the old model operating the x services and the 50.

They are E400s with a Scania chasis. These were chosen as apparently the guide wheels can't be attached to the regular E400MMCs. They are also lower height, which is quite evident when upstairs to fit under the old Ashton swingbridge. The A1 E400s are the same, albeit fitted out to a different internal specification and minus the centre door.

 

[InterCity:125]

Driving pass I noticed the metrobus flyover in Ashton gate already has graffiti on it.

 

[ooo]

Driving pass I noticed the metrobus flyover in Ashton gate already has graffiti on it.

Yes it has had it since it was accessable. It's not really a surprise considering its location and lack of surveillance

 

[goldisgood]

They are E400s with a Scania chasis. These were chosen as apparently the guide wheels can't be attached to the regular E400MMCs. They are also lower height, which is quite evident when upstairs to fit under the old Ashton swingbridge. The A1 E400s are the same, albeit fitted out to a different internal specification and minus the centre door.

See my comment #130

 

[D2007wsm]

See my comment #130

I know, I was adding that they have a Scania chasis, and low height bodywork unlike the regular E400MMC and the justification for this.

 

[carlberry]

Had a ride on Bristol newest roller coaster today. The positive thing is that it's open, the new infrastructure is all there and working and it's going to be free to use on Saturdays 22nd and 29th September.
However!
I used it purely as a replacement for the Long Ashton Park and Ride and, even in the middle of the day, it's a poor replacement. Despite having limited bus priority the 903 did a reasonable job of getting from Long Ashton to Bristol and back again quickly. It also encouraged group travel (the usual issue with cars) by having two children free. Metrobus takes longer and (for anybody with children) is more expensive.
The original plans for the link has been changed a few times and originally it would have used a different approach to Bristol which would have been quicker (and would have needed more guided sections). Now it runs along unprioritised roads for a lot of the time and (today) got caught up in the Temple Meads traffic both ways. Eventually this will improve (hopefully!) but not in the short term. Even without this it's slow as, instead of a direct park and ride, it's a local bus service.
The new bridge sections are great to ride across however the guided sections slow the service down (this isn't a shakedown issue where the drivers will be able to go faster as they get used to it, the guided sections are all short and few appear to offer any better acceleration opportunities than are already being used, however every one needs the additional slowing to engage/disengage with some needing it mid section as well because of footpaths!) and the majority appear unnecessary. I'd go so far as to say they'll all unnecessary if the footpath over the Ashton bridge was restricted to pedestrians (i.e. build a seperate bridge here then make the whole thing unguided).

I'd been hoping to be able to report a more positive experiance (as the m3 was and still is).

 

[InterCity:125]

So it’s open now?

 

[carlberry]

So it’s open now?

Yes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-45388364

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Had a ride on Bristol newest roller coaster today. The positive thing is that it's open, the new infrastructure is all there and working and it's going to be free to use on Saturdays 22nd and 29th September.
However!
I used it purely as a replacement for the Long Ashton Park and Ride and, even in the middle of the day, it's a poor replacement. Despite having limited bus priority the 903 did a reasonable job of getting from Long Ashton to Bristol and back again quickly. It also encouraged group travel (the usual issue with cars) by having two children free. Metrobus takes longer and (for anybody with children) is more expensive.
The original plans for the link has been changed a few times and originally it would have used a different approach to Bristol which would have been quicker (and would have needed more guided sections). Now it runs along unprioritised roads for a lot of the time and (today) got caught up in the Temple Meads traffic both ways. Eventually this will improve (hopefully!) but not in the short term. Even without this it's slow as, instead of a direct park and ride, it's a local bus service.
The new bridge sections are great to ride across however the guided sections slow the service down (this isn't a shakedown issue where the drivers will be able to go faster as they get used to it, the guided sections are all short and few appear to offer any better acceleration opportunities than are already being used, however every one needs the additional slowing to engage/disengage with some needing it mid section as well because of footpaths!) and the majority appear unnecessary. I'd go so far as to say they'll all unnecessary if the footpath over the Ashton bridge was restricted to pedestrians (i.e. build a seperate bridge here then make the whole thing unguided).

I'd been hoping to be able to report a more positive experiance (as the m3 was and still is).

Thanks for that update - will look to get a trip out on it soon but work demands!!!

FWIW, I appreciate the need for guide rails on the Ashton Avenue Bridge but the other bits do seem a bit superfluous and your experience seems to bear that out.

For me, it's the Spike Island section that really disappoints. The bus lane with parking spaces is faintly ridiculous IMHO. As you say, the decision to reroute from Prince Street and the swing bridge means it has a torturous loop around the city centre.

To my mind, I'd be sending it left from St Mary Redcliffe via the Grove and up into the Centre then up Haymarket and loop it around the roundabout and then follow the same (and now current) route back out. I know this is terrible for not serving Temple Meads (who park and rides to the station?) but perhaps it is easier and for the greater good if those wanting to get to Temple Quay get off at St Mary Redcliffe and walk?

Hadn't realised the change in pricing as you mention; that does seem a retrograde step.

 

[CD]

The reason for the new fares being £4 return (Bristol Day Ticket) rather than £3 return on the 903 is because it is no longer subsidised by the council and being run 100% commercially. Why should people in Bristol have their Council tax paying for people from outside to use the P&R?

 

[carlberry]

The reason for the new fares being £4 return (Bristol Day Ticket) rather than £3 return on the 903 is because it is no longer subsidised by the council and being run 100% commercially. Why should people in Bristol have their Council tax paying for people from outside to use the P&R?

I assume they still do in Brislington or Avonmouth which are now cheaper for a family, and for anybody off peak.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The reason for the new fares being £4 return (Bristol Day Ticket) rather than £3 return on the 903 is because it is no longer subsidised by the council and being run 100% commercially. Why should people in Bristol have their Council tax paying for people from outside to use the P&R?

Fair point - guess can argue they benefit from less congestion etc but it is a valid view

 

[swifty]

Seems to be some bunching this evening with buses running in pairs on the m2.

I noted Carl mentioned that traffic around Temple Gate. It’s good to see the bus lane down from St. Mary Redcliffe towards Temple Gate has been reinstated with temporary lights.

 

[InterCity:125]

Decide to take a ride on m2 and so topped up my travel west card (I usually use paper tickets) with day riders. Couldn’t buy a single one only gave me the option of 3 so I got them. Set off for the bus stop only to learn I had to activate the day riders at the metrobus points in town so had to spend money on a single. Got into town but the tickets didn’t appear on my card. Checked the website and it said they may take 24 hours to appear, and I couldn’t buy a new one because the metrobus machines only accept card and I only had cash so I had to go to the bus station to get a ticket. The bus is slow round the centre but once it gets off the 90/75/76 routes and goes along Cumberland road it speeds up. The bus was faster on the non-guided parts of the busway and the guided parts were strewn randomly along the route. Another problem was lots of cyclists are using the busway and delaying buses as they can’t go round the cyclist. The bus also stopped in random places for no reason twice. All together a nice quick ride and seemed popular with commuters.

 

[carlberry]

Seems to be some bunching this evening with buses running in pairs on the m2.

I noted Carl mentioned that traffic around Temple Gate. It’s good to see the bus lane down from St. Mary Redcliffe towards Temple Gate has been reinstated with temporary lights.

On my lunchtime trip on the way in the bus arrived at the light at the end of the bus lane just as it went red so all the traffic then overtook the bus and on the way back out again the car traffic had tailed across the Redcliffe roundabout in the outside lane so the bus couldn't get out to go up Redcliffe Hill.

 

[padbus]

On my lunchtime trip on the way in the bus arrived at the light at the end of the bus lane just as it went red so all the traffic then overtook the bus and on the way back out again the car traffic had tailed across the Redcliffe roundabout in the outside lane so the bus couldn't get out to go up Redcliffe Hill.

Surely it ought to be possible to ensure that the bus always gets a green light.