First Bristol service 70 Temple Meads-UWE

[Class 33]

A seperate thread to discuss the 70 for those who wish to do so. Away from the members who do not wish to read anymore about the 70!

Since the change to Hengrove Depot operation, a few different single deckers are being used on the 70. Which is interesting. Seen a Volvo B6 BLE on there yesterday. Much preferrable to an Eclipse in my opinion. If I was at the Centre or Haymarket waiting for a bus home and one of these turns up on the 70 instead of an Eclipse, providing it wasn't too busy I'd actually get on it! Though the service does still remain MOSTLY Eclipse operated. And currently little chance of double deckers being on this service again, due to First's reasoning that double deckers can't be used due to the Temple Meads canopy!

 

[ValleyLines142]

A seperate thread to discuss the 70 for those who wish to do so. Away from the members who do not wish to read anymore about the 70!

Thank you for this!

Since the change to Hengrove Depot operation, a few different single deckers are being used on the 70. Which is interesting. Seen a Volvo B6 BLE on there yesterday. Much preferrable to an Eclipse in my opinion. If I was at the Centre or Haymarket waiting for a bus home and one of these turns up on the 70 instead of an Eclipse, providing it wasn't too busy I'd actually get on it! Though the service does still remain MOSTLY Eclipse operated. And currently little chance of double deckers being on this service again, due to First's reasoning that double deckers can't be used due to the Temple Meads canopy!

I find it really odd that First are using Volvo B6BLE's and ALX200's on the 70; I believe the seating capacity on these is much less than the Eclipses, WHICH IS TOTALLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE NEED!! The seats on those ALX200's are also utterly vile; I'd rather sit on the floor for the near hour journey! There are one or two examples based at Lawrence Hill that appeared on the 18 before the new-ish 05-plate Darts appeared on the routes, and even going from Parkway to UWE, which is barely ten minutes, was horrendous!

I think a Gemini will appear soon, even if it's just one out of whatever the PVR of the route is. With fifty six Geminis currently based at Hengrove, there is absolutely NO excuse why just ONE can't appear.

Also, does anyone know/have a copy of the PVR's for all of Bristol's bus routes? I'd be interested to see! I believe the 75/76 is currently 45.

 

[Class 33]

While it's interesting and a pleasant change to see some different buses other than 100% Eclipse's on the 70, I agree with the seating capacity on these particular buses being less than the Eclipse's it's the opposite to what we really need. The Eclipse's have a seating capacity of 43 I know. Think the B6 BLE's have a capacity of about 36? And the ALX 200's only have about 30 to 32(if not slightly less)?

I've probably only been on the ALX 200's no more than about a dozen times at the most. But I agree the seating isn't very good atall. Fully upright seating. And some particularly very bizarre and horrid seating at the back which I've used before(because all other seats were taken) and hated, where the two seats in front are actually raised HIGHER!

With a couple of Eclipses on the 75 & 76 now, there will now be instances when I'm waiting for a 75 or 76 and an Eclipse turns up and I'll have to let those go by and wait for the next one instead which should be a double decker!

 

[ValleyLines142]

While it's interesting and a pleasant change to see some different buses other than 100% Eclipse's on the 70, I agree with the seating capacity on these particular buses being less than the Eclipse's it's the opposite to what we really need. The Eclipse's have a seating capacity of 43 I know. Think the B6 BLE's have a capacity of about 36? And the ALX 200's only have about 30 to 32(if not slightly less)?

I've probably only been on the ALX 200's no more than about a dozen times at the most. But I agree the seating isn't very good atall. Fully upright seating. And some particularly very bizarre and horrid seating at the back which I've used before(because all other seats were taken) and hated, where the two seats in front are actually raised HIGHER!

I have to say these batches which are appearing on the 70 aren't the best. If anything I'd rather the route stays with its Eclipses.

With a couple of Eclipses on the 75 & 76 now, there will now be instances when I'm waiting for a 75 or 76 and an Eclipse turns up and I'll have to let those go by and wait for the next one instead which should be a double decker!

I don't think the 75 and 76 has Eclipses booked for it, although I could be wrong. I believe the sighting of them has been a one-off (just as I'm hoping the 70 could have a Gemini as a one-off!). But if First are digging out the Volvo B6BLE's and the ALX200's, then clearly deckers are not their priority.

As I said on the main First discussion board, I saw a double decker turning in the forecourt of Temple Meads last week, so deckers clearly aren't an issue.

PS: this is our motivation for this thread!! (Although look how many people are on board; totally contradictory to the problem we've been mentioning for months! But of course this could have been in the afternoon when it was quiet; not between 0800-1000 and 1600-1800).

 

[freetoview33]

Still going to email first about it

 

[ValleyLines142]

Still going to email first about it

I can imagine what they'll say; it'll be something along the lines of:

'We are not interested in the 70. We may as well withdraw the service.

Lots of love,

First'

Please let us know the reply, if you'd be so kind to share.

 

[freetoview33]

Yeah I will share the replies when I get them

 

[Class 33]

PS: this is our motivation for this thread!! (Although look how many people are on board; totally contradictory to the problem we've been mentioning for months! But of course this could have been in the afternoon when it was quiet; not between 0800-1000 and 1600-1800).

In fairness also, that bus is pictured just pulling away from The Haymarket. And next and only stop is the Centre. Only a few people really travel beyond The Haymarket on the 70 anyway. Most people get out there, with literally pretty much 0 people boarding there. So that particular working there could still have been pretty busy!

 

[ValleyLines142]

In fairness also, that bus is pictured just pulling away from The Haymarket. And next and only stop is the Centre. Only a few people really travel beyond The Haymarket on the 70 anyway. Most people get out there, with literally pretty much 0 people boarding there. So that particular working there could still have been pretty busy!

Good point actually!

 

[freetoview33]

That is very true.

 

[Class 33]

I don't think the 75 and 76 has Eclipses booked for it, although I could be wrong. I believe the sighting of them has been a one-off (just as I'm hoping the 70 could have a Gemini as a one-off!). But if First are digging out the Volvo B6BLE's and the ALX200's, then clearly deckers are not their priority.

I don't think it's a one off Eclipse's on the 75 and 76 now unfortunately. I think there's probably one or two going around on these services every weekday now. Seen another one today on the 75 pulling out of Cribbs Causeway.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I don't think it's a one off Eclipse's on the 75 and 76 now unfortunately. I think there's probably one or two going around on these services every weekday now. Seen another one today on the 75 pulling out of Cribbs Causeway.

Oh really? That is interesting. It's an odd one as I followed the 70 for a while today (and will tomorrow also) and saw the usual mixture of Eclipses and Volvo B6BLE 48212 on the route. So still no Geminis for the time being (come on, Hengrove has fifty-six of the buggers!), unfortunately.

I had a journey on 69454 today, only from UWE to McDonald's but actually the Eclipses are quite nice, on the lower half anyway (where there is a clear window view!).

If, however, one or two are on the 75/76, then one would think that there are not enough for the 70?

66159 appeared on the 2 today also!

 

[Class 33]

Another Eclipse on the 75 today! These really are a day occurence now, at least on weekdays. One turned up on the 75 whilst I waiting for one at Cribbs Causeway. I didn't bother getting on it, and waited 10 minutes for the next one which was the usual Gemini double decker.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Another Eclipse on the 75 today! These really are a day occurence now, at least on weekdays. One turned up on the 75 whilst I waiting for one at Cribbs Causeway. I didn't bother getting on it, and waited 10 minutes for the next one which was the usual Gemini double decker.

And bloody 42707 was on the 70!!

 

[Class 33]

There was a Streetlite on the 75 today which I got on. It wasn't busy as it was during off-peak. Don't know if there was an Eclipse also on the 75 & 76, maybe, maybe not. Also just about spotted another different single decker on the 70, one of those in the new livery, not sure what they are, think it's the ones that are usually on the X18. Makes me wonder if we'll see a Streetlite on the 70 soon. Hope so. Certainly more possible than when the 70 was under Lawrence Hill operation during the past 2 years when it has been strictly Eclipses ONLY! It is a little more interesting now the 70 has transferred to Hengrove Depot operation. Though that said, the service still really needs improvement. Either more frequent, or a sister service(ie 70A or 71), or some double deckers put on it.

I personally find the seating on First Bristol's Eclipses uncomfortable and claustraphobic, due really to the high back seating they have. The only seats I don't mind(on the rare occasions I get on them!) are the 8 seats at the front of the raised rear section of the bus which are positioned so that they're actually higher than the seats in front. If I HAVE to get on an Eclipse for some reason, then these are the seats I try to get. All other seats I dislike, in particular the rest of the raised rear section! Also another reason why I dislike these Eclipses are the fact they bizzarely allways have the heating on, even during the warm/hot weather!(They used to anyway, don't know if they still do?) If these buses had lower backed seating and didn't have the heating on when not necessary, I wouldn't mind them so much.

 

[Class 33]

There was a Streetlite on the 75 today which I got on. It wasn't busy as it was during off-peak. Don't know if there was an Eclipse also on the 75 & 76, maybe, maybe not. Also just about spotted another different single decker on the 70, one of those in the new livery, not sure what they are, think it's the ones that are usually on the X18. Makes me wonder if we'll see a Streetlite on the 70 soon. Hope so. Certainly more possible than when the 70 was under Lawrence Hill operation during the past 2 years when it has been strictly Eclipses ONLY! It is a little more interesting now the 70 has transferred to Hengrove Depot operation. Though that said, the service still really needs improvement. Either more frequent, or a sister service(ie 70A or 71), or some double deckers put on it.

I personally find the seating on First Bristol's Eclipses uncomfortable and claustraphobic, due really to the high back seating they have. The only seats I don't mind(on the rare occasions I get on them!) are the 8 seats at the front of the raised rear section of the bus which are positioned so that they're actually higher than the seats in front. If I HAVE to get on an Eclipse for some reason, then these are the seats I try to get. All other seats I dislike, in particular the rest of the raised rear section! Also another reason why I dislike these Eclipses are the fact they bizzarely allways have the heating on, even during the warm/hot weather!(They used to anyway, don't know if they still do?) If these buses had lower backed seating and didn't have the heating on when not necessary, I wouldn't mind them so much.

 

[freetoview33]

I am trying my best to get an answer out of First about the 70! But so far they haven't said anything we don't already know!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Also just about spotted another different single decker on the 70, one of those in the new livery, not sure what they are, think it's the ones that are usually on the X18.

Sounds like something from the 42895-42901 and 42949-42960 range, although with the latter I thought these all transferred to Lawrence Hill when the Streetlites arrived at Hengrove for the 8 and 9.

Makes me wonder if we'll see a Streetlite on the 70 soon. Hope so. Certainly more possible than when the 70 was under Lawrence Hill operation during the past 2 years when it has been strictly Eclipses ONLY!

It wouldn't surprise me to be honest!

I personally find the seating on First Bristol's Eclipses uncomfortable and claustraphobic, due really to the high back seating they have. The only seats I don't mind(on the rare occasions I get on them!) are the 8 seats at the front of the raised rear section of the bus which are positioned so that they're actually higher than the seats in front. If I HAVE to get on an Eclipse for some reason, then these are the seats I try to get. All other seats I dislike, in particular the rest of the raised rear section! Also another reason why I dislike these Eclipses are the fact they bizzarely allways have the heating on, even during the warm/hot weather!(They used to anyway, don't know if they still do?) If these buses had lower backed seating and didn't have the heating on when not necessary, I wouldn't mind them so much.

I must admit I prefer the lower ones to the back as they line up with the window. Alternatively there's the two single seats right at the front; one behind the driver and one behind the doors!

 

[Class 33]

From today!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Sorry about this but it is about the 70 again!

I said I would post what I received from First and here goes.

On the 14th of may I received this reply.
"We not have any plans to change the frequency of our service 70."

I then replied re-enforcing the point of overcrowding and then

Today 20th may I received this reply.
"In terms of Service 70, we are currently in the process of working up plans to increase capacity on this service from the start of the new academic year and will be making any announcement over the next coming weeks. "

So result =D

BRILLIANT news! So the 70 is to become an all double decker served service again. Or at least to have some double deckers on there as well as the single deckers. Good stuff! Will looking forward to September and seeing this!

 

[windnoise69]

It says extra capacity; not double deckers...

 

[Class 33]

It says extra capacity; not double deckers...

Well which single deckers have more seating capacity than the Eclpse's?

 

[ValleyLines142]

There are none I don't think.

Although I unfortunately am not too hopeful on this claim; it's probably just them trying to keep us happy and excited in anticipation.

I personally don't see any plans of double deckers now any more especially as they're REDUCING the capacity by putting Darts and Volvo B6BLE's on the route.

A disappointment, but I hope I'm proved wrong.

 

[freetoview33]

Id rather have 6 darts than 5 an hour!

 

[Class 33]

I think it's a case of wait and see for this announcement about the changes due in September DanTrainMan185. Thinking about it, I think it will be a case of too good to be true for the service to go all double deckers again. Where are these double deckers going to come from? First Bristol probably haven't got any more new/second hand double deckers orders this year, and if they take the double deckers off other services which services would those be? And also what about First Bristol's policy about strictly can't use double deckers on the 70 due to "health and safety" reasons due to the Temple Meads canopy?

BUT

First Bristol have said they're working on increasing the capacity on the 70 from September. Which is good news.

No plans to increase the frequency of the service. There doesn't appear to be any single deckers with more seating capacity than the Eclipse's, so surely this must mean that at least some of the workings will be double deckers? Otherwise how would there possibly be an increase in capacity on the service?

Also it's possible they might cut the service back to UWE-Centre only, which would eradiate the Temple Meads canopy "health and safety" issue.

 

[freetoview33]

An increase in capacity but not frequency does suggest deckers but indeed where would they come from? But then again if they were just changing it to deckers there would be no need for an announcement. So speculation does still continue but we should hopefully know soon. My only other theory is move the eclipses onto the 90 and the odd deckers used on the 36, 50, 51 and 90 moved onto the 70.

Although I did ask why deckers could not be used at Temple Meads and it was the only point they didn't answer so. But this is First anything could happen!

I could give many ways that capacity could be increased but just more speculation.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Id rather have 6 darts than 5 an hour!

Regardless of the frequency the service will still get crowded if only the 427xx Darts are on it. Seeing 42707 on the 70 last week really, REALLY infruriated me. It was as if nothing else was good enough for the route, which really made it look neglected.

I think it's a case of wait and see for this announcement about the changes due in September DanTrainMan185. Thinking about it, I think it will be a case of too good to be true for the service to go all double deckers again. Where are these double deckers going to come from? First Bristol probably haven't got any more new/second hand double deckers orders this year, and if they take the double deckers off other services which services would those be?

Exactly. I can't see where else they'd come from. Deckers are DEFINITELY needed for what I call the 'Eastern' corridor, i.e. the 42/43/44/45/48/49.

And also what about First Bristol's policy about strictly can't use double deckers on the 70 due to "health and safety" reasons due to the Temple Meads canopy?

As I said earlier it's not a problem as the City Sightseeing tour bus goes into the forecourt. Also, I was looking at the canopy briefly today whilst waiting for the 8. The pavement actually comes out quite far from the entrance to the station, and the canopy is quite short, so part of the pavement isn't even covered by the canopy, therefore the road doesn't actually go anywhere near it either, and obviously if the City Sightseeing buses can do it then I don't see why First can't.

My only other theory is move the eclipses onto the 90 and the odd deckers used on the 36, 50, 51 and 90 moved onto the 70.

This is what I suggested with the 90 but apparently it gets quite busy between Inns Court and Bedminster. I've never seen the 90 THAT busy (and to be honest routes such as the 24 which are FAR busier are fully single decker so I'm sure the 90 would cope without doubles). Bedminster is already well served by the very frequent 75 and 76, so I can't see it being too much of an issue. The 70 does need double deckers more; it's obvious really with it serving a university home to about 30,000 students.

But I honestly don't know. I'd like to think that First could possibly pinch just two or three Geminis and put them on the route. Now that the 70 is in the hands of Hengrove they need to look after the route and not neglect it! However, the fact that tiny little Darts are cropping up does make me think that they're not interested in the slightest. A shame really....

 

[Martin1988]

I had a trip on the 70 last Monday and the vehicle I ended up on was an eclipse. Fortunatley that journey wasn't too busy.

I must admit I was expecting a swarm of passengers to board when we passed the Ashely Down Campus but nobody did. I also noticed that the drivers no longer change over at the Muller Road depot. I couldn't remember, are services still run from this depot? When I went past all the vehicles that were visible seemed to be older buses and a number of scania irizar coaches in company livery.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I had a trip on the 70 last Monday and the vehicle I ended up on was an eclipse. Fortunatley that journey wasn't too busy.

Yeah, it is fair to say that in the afternoons it isn't too bad, only in the peaks, where it does get extremely busy.

I couldn't remember, are services still run from this depot? When I went past all the vehicles that were visible seemed to be older buses and a number of scania irizar coaches in company livery.

No, Muller Road is just used to store older vehicles now. All services in Bristol are run from the other three depots: Lawrence Hill, Hengrove and Marlborough Street (Although I believe MS is technically part of LH as it's next to it).

 

[freetoview33]

If you were heading towards U.W.E it wouldn't have been that bad, it's the Ashley Down to the Centre which is the worst bit. I think a lot of U.W.E students would get the 70 instead of the Wessex bus if it wasn't too crowded. Maybe they might bring back a term time timetable and over the summer it would be cut back

 

[ValleyLines142]

If you were heading towards U.W.E it wouldn't have been that bad, it's the Ashley Down to the Centre which is the worst bit. I think a lot of U.W.E students would get the 70 instead of the Wessex bus if it wasn't too crowded. Maybe they might bring back a term time timetable and over the summer it would be cut back

Many UWE students use Wessex because First Year students living on campus get a free pass, although I think Wessex is more expensive than First, despite First operating over a wider area.