Bristol Metrobus

[Busaholic]

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).

Disappointing to read this, but I can't say I'm surprised.

 

[swifty]

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

It used to, but at the moment they are ‘smart’ temporary traffic lights.

 

[-Colly405-]

My work is based in the Harbourside area. Many of my colleagues in the (large) building were regulars on the 903 to/from Anchor Rd. Latest updates on an internal forum, which has a page specifically set up relating to Metrobus, revolve around the number of colleagues who are now either getting the Excel in from Nailsea and the like instead of using the P&R, or are parking at the P&R and then walking to get the X1/X6/X9 in. Either way, they have already given up on the m2.

 

[carlberry]

This morning one of the inbound m2s was running along the Cumberland Basin. I assume it'll get onto Coronation Road and then as normal from there, only missing out a couple of stops. Oddly the traffic on that bit was very bad this morning so, whereas this might have speeded it up on a normal day, it'll be slower today.
I assume either there's a blockage on the guided section or this vehicle has damage to the guide wheels (however I'd assume that it wouldn't go out at all if it it had).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

My work is based in the Harbourside area. Many of my colleagues in the (large) building were regulars on the 903 to/from Anchor Rd. Latest updates on an internal forum, which has a page specifically set up relating to Metrobus, revolve around the number of colleagues who are now either getting the Excel in from Nailsea and the like instead of using the P&R, or are parking at the P&R and then walking to get the X1/X6/X9 in. Either way, they have already given up on the m2.

I guess that was always going to be the issue once they'd decided to re-route from Prince Street and the Swing Bridge, instead of now having a good walk from Wapping Wharf.

 

[swifty]

This morning one of the inbound m2s was running along the Cumberland Basin. I assume it'll get onto Coronation Road and then as normal from there, only missing out a couple of stops. Oddly the traffic on that bit was very bad this morning so, whereas this might have speeded it up on a normal day, it'll be slower today.
I assume either there's a blockage on the guided section or this vehicle has damage to the guide wheels (however I'd assume that it wouldn't go out at all if it it had).

I believe Cumberland and Corronation roads are both shut this morning so that’s the old 903 route is the only suitable diversion?

 

[carlberry]

I believe Cumberland and Corronation roads are both shut this morning so that’s the old 903 route is the only suitable diversion?

Yes, that would explain both the traffic and the odd routing!

 

[freetoview33]

This morning one of the inbound m2s was running along the Cumberland Basin. I assume it'll get onto Coronation Road and then as normal from there, only missing out a couple of stops. Oddly the traffic on that bit was very bad this morning so, whereas this might have speeded it up on a normal day, it'll be slower today.
I assume either there's a blockage on the guided section or this vehicle has damage to the guide wheels (however I'd assume that it wouldn't go out at all if it it had).

A body was found in the river so roads closed

 

[WelshBluebird]

I posted this on another forum so sorry if any members on both sites get annoyed at my copy and paste post, however I thought it would be of interest here too.

Today Bristol Sport have announced plans to add a 4000 capacity sports and convention centre amongst other things in a new development next door to Ashton Gate. The interesting bit is that as part of it, they are proposing "an integrated transport hub to connect the Metrobus; the railway line; cycle routes and crossing sections over the Winterstoke Road". You mean the Metrobus that doesn't actually serve Winterstoke Road and that people have been told not to use to get to Ashton Gate despite the stop being named Ashton gate and it only being a 10 minute at most walk away from the stadium?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I posted this on another forum so sorry if any members on both sites get annoyed at my copy and paste post, however I thought it would be of interest here too.

Today Bristol Sport have announced plans to add a 4000 capacity sports and convention centre amongst other things in a new development next door to Ashton Gate. The interesting bit is that as part of it, they are proposing "an integrated transport hub to connect the Metrobus; the railway line; cycle routes and crossing sections over the Winterstoke Road". You mean the Metrobus that doesn't actually serve Winterstoke Road and that people have been told not to use to get to Ashton Gate despite the stop being named Ashton gate and it only being a 10 minute at most walk away from the stadium?

This was the "scandal" that the Bristol Post went and threw their hands up into the air a few weeks ago.

The issue is that the infrastructure can accommodate so many workings and, more importantly, there's a lack of guide-wheel fitted vehicles that they can use. Therefore, they don't want the regular clientele and associated infrastructure to be busted by massive surges once a week (on average). https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/exclusive-metrobus-never-meant-be-1856068

 

[carlberry]

This was the "scandal" that the Bristol Post went and threw their hands up into the air a few weeks ago.

The issue is that the infrastructure can accommodate so many workings and, more importantly, there's a lack of guide-wheel fitted vehicles that they can use. Therefore, they don't want the regular clientele and associated infrastructure to be busted by massive surges once a week (on average). https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/exclusive-metrobus-never-meant-be-1856068

Plus the stops on the Cumberland Basin are closer to Ashton Gate, have a more frequent services and it's quicker. The 'transport hub' is likely to be a throwaway that'll be removed after they've got permission for some reason or other anyway.
Somebody promised that Cardiff would have a bus station like that once!!

 

[ooo]

Could someone remind me of the reason for the M1 taking so long to start?

 

[freetoview33]

Could someone remind me of the reason for the M1 taking so long to start?

CT/BCT Getting buses and drivers.
Road works at Aztec West/Cribbs and finishing works in South Bristol.

 

[John R]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but the Bristol Flyer is now using the South Bristol Link Road and guided busway, in a recent change to its route. Great news for passengers as the "improved service" (Bristol Airport's words, not mine), means the timetabled journey has increased from 30 to 40 minutes to/from Temple Meads. And airport staff living in the Bedminster area now only get a half hourly service, instead of an almost walk on frequency.
The airport suggested the new route would be "useful for visitors to the SS Great Britain". Clutching at straws to try and think of a positive to what appears to be yet another Metrobus inspired debacle.

 

[carlberry]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but the Bristol Flyer is now using the South Bristol Link Road and guided busway, in a recent change to its route. Great news for passengers as the "improved service" (Bristol Airport's words, not mine), means the timetabled journey has increased from 30 to 40 minutes to/from Temple Meads. And airport staff living in the Bedminster area now only get a half hourly service, instead of an almost walk on frequency.
The airport suggested the new route would be "useful for visitors to the SS Great Britain". Clutching at straws to try and think of a positive to what appears to be yet another Metrobus inspired debacle.

As the A1 runs wherever the airport wants it to I don't know how the change is 'Metrobus inspired'?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As the A1 runs wherever the airport wants it to I don't know how the change is 'Metrobus inspired'?

Might also be a reflection that the old timetable was impossible to achieve especially at peak. Avoiding Bemmie through Parson Street and onto Bemmie Down will definitely help reliability.

 

[InterCity:125]

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but the Bristol Flyer is now using the South Bristol Link Road and guided busway, in a recent change to its route. Great news for passengers as the "improved service" (Bristol Airport's words, not mine), means the timetabled journey has increased from 30 to 40 minutes to/from Temple Meads. And airport staff living in the Bedminster area now only get a half hourly service, instead of an almost walk on frequency.
The airport suggested the new route would be "useful for visitors to the SS Great Britain". Clutching at straws to try and think of a positive to what appears to be yet another Metrobus inspired debacle.

Thanks, I noticed the a1 had wheels for the busway and was puzzling over it.

 

[-Colly405-]

I see that James Freeman has issued a statement to the Bradley Stoke Journal about Metrobus which includes news that the M1 is now starting on Jan 6th, not 13th as previously announced.

http://www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/2018/11/17/reprieve-x73-route-73-frequency-drop-20-mins/

 

[Marcus Fryer]

I see that James Freeman has issued a statement to the Bradley Stoke Journal about Metrobus which includes news that the M1 is now starting on Jan 6th, not 13th as previously announced.

http://www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk/2018/11/17/reprieve-x73-route-73-frequency-drop-20-mins/

I doubt the m1 will run every 10 minutes. I think it's more likely to run every 20 minutes, coordinated with the m3 to provide a 10-minute interval service between UWE and Centre.

 

[-Colly405-]

I doubt the m1 will run every 10 minutes. I think it's more likely to run every 20 minutes, coordinated with the m3 to provide a 10-minute interval service between UWE and Centre.

I'm not convinced that that combined frequency would be enough to take the UWE traffic, let alone everyone else...

 

[ooo]

ipoints are now going in on the M1 route

 

[Marcus Fryer]

I'm not convinced that that combined frequency would be enough to take the UWE traffic, let alone everyone else...

Although the UWE traffic is mostly out of Bristol in the morning and into Bristol in the afternoon (unless a lot of students find accommodation in Bradley Stoke/Lyde Green).

 

[-Colly405-]

ipoints are now going in on the M1 route

They are now in place at Patchway Brook and Willow Brook southbound.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So we've heard about the 73 being reduced which isn't really a surprise and that's reported in the local Sadly rag. However, wonder if we will also see reductions on the 90 as well?

 

[-Colly405-]

So we've heard about the 73 being reduced which isn't really a surprise and that's reported in the local Sadly rag. However, wonder if we will also see reductions on the 90 as well?

...and we should expect changes to the 3a/b/c/X and 77 as the current timetables are shown as finishing on 12 Jan on Traveline. Maybe nobody's told Stagecoach that the M1 start date has been brought forward!

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Stone throwers damaged two buses yesterday evening, resulting in the cancellation of journeys this morning:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.br...rst-bus-cancels-metrobus-services-2243936.amp

 

[-Colly405-]

Current progress with ipoints for the m1

• Aztec West - none yet
  
• Patchway Brook - Southbound in place
• Willow Brook - Southbound in place
• Webbs Wood - none yet
  
• Great Meadow - Northbound in place
  
• Great Stoke - Northbound in place
• Harry Stoke - none yet

And shelters, the missing shelter at Great Meadow northbound is now up, but not finished. This just leaves Harry Stoke northbound to install.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

More on future plans (!) for Metrobus https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/seven-proposed-new-metrobus-routes-2266154

 

[carlberry]

More on future plans (!) for Metrobus https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/seven-proposed-new-metrobus-routes-2266154

All the price tags appear to be set so as to guarantee that they'll be turned down (And to give the Post plenty of Clickbait over the coming years! And the map appears to only include the original proposed extensions, not all of this latest list. I suspect there's lots of nice new roads included in most of the proposals as adding a few bus lanes dosent cost that much in money, just lots of votes from car drivers!

 

[BBC]

The M3 seems to be doing well as it always has decent loads, but the M3 seems to be an abject failure so far. Never seen it busy!