First Bristol service 70 Temple Meads-UWE

[Class 33]

Well we've made good progress with the 70 since the last posting on this topic! With the new service 71 starting in 5 weeks time!

Just thought I'd mention on this thread though rather than the main First South West & Wales thread. Yesterday I passed Temple Meads and noticed three double decker buses parked there where the 70 usually sets down. They were three First buses, two of them being Gemini's and the other being an ALX 400 Volvo B7. They would have been the Balloon Fiesta Shuttle buses, running every 10 minutes! How is it then that these special services are exempt from the Health & Safety reasons why double deckers can't be used on services serving Temple Meads?!

But never mind, all will be better on the 70 from Monday 14th September. Still single deckers yes, but with the new sister service the 71 running every day I can't see there being problems of overcrowding on the 70 again. Double deckers will not be needed now! Looking forward to it!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Indeed. I thought exactly the same thing but there we are.

Two Streetlites were on the 70 today (47456 and 47462). Very nice actually and well suited to the route!

 

[THarris123]

I've just worked out something about the 70/71 in terms of PVR. I make 70 currently using 8. Once the changes are made this will go up to 13 (correct me if I'm wrong). The 72 requires 5 buses (again, correct me). As the 20 is withdrawn, that reduces the requirement by 3.

That all means that Hengrove have to find 7 more buses to go on these routes. Expect a few Marshalls from Cymru again!

 

[ValleyLines142]

I've just worked out something about the 70/71 in terms of PVR. I make 70 currently using 8. Once the changes are made this will go up to 13 (correct me if I'm wrong). The 72 requires 5 buses (again, correct me). As the 20 is withdrawn, that reduces the requirement by 3.

The frequency of the 70 is going to decrease to 15 minutes though, instead of 12 at the moment, so I don't know whether that'll make a difference.

That all means that Hengrove have to find 7 more buses to go on these routes. Expect a few Marshalls from Cymru again!

I hope not. Those things literally make me heave. I went on one on the 82 from UWE to Parkway the other day and it literally gave me nausea.

I expect it'll be B7RLEs, Streetlites, maybe those ALX200s (42733 etc) and the B6BLEs (48210 etc). Oh, and probably those tiny R-BAE Darts (42701 etc), although they are FAR too small for the UWE routes (even with two extra routes!).

Yesterday I passed Temple Meads and noticed three double decker buses parked there where the 70 usually sets down. They were three First buses, two of them being Gemini's and the other being an ALX 400 Volvo B7. They would have been the Balloon Fiesta Shuttle buses, running every 10 minutes!

Just read this properly. The buses used on the Balloon Shuttle were a Trident (32704), an East Lancs Dekka thing (32767) and a Volvo B7/ALX400 (32031). Unless there were ALSO two Geminis, what were they doing there?

On a totally random note, has anyone noticed that Bristol's buses are literally SWELTERING? I had 37012 on the 73 last week and going along Gloucester Road my t-shirt had actually stuck to the seat it was that hot!! It was the same with 37327 the day after so is there a general problem with the aircon?!

 

[Class 33]

Just read this properly. The buses used on the Balloon Shuttle were a Trident (32704), an East Lancs Dekka thing (32767) and a Volvo B7/ALX400 (32031). Unless there were ALSO two Geminis, what were they doing there?

Those two buses I saw definitely looked like Gemini's from the BACK anyway. Maybe they weren't actually Gemini's I saw, if the backs of those Tridents and East Lancs Dekka's look very similar to Gemini backs.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Those two buses I saw definitely looked like Gemini's from the BACK anyway. Maybe they weren't actually Gemini's I saw, if the backs of those Tridents and East Lancs Dekka's look very similar to Gemini backs.

I'm just trying to picture what their rears look like (ooh - sounds a bit naughty!)

I suppose in a brief passing they could be mistaken for Geminis, but when you look at them in detail they are different.

Also, how long is the work at Temple Meads going on for? At present the 8, 9 and 70 are, once exiting the station, having to go around Bath Bridge Roundabout and Temple Gate as the junction is currently closed! I was on my phone on the 8 the other day and had the shock of my life when we turned left to head towards Brislington and Broomhill/Stockwood!

Finally, has anyone ever been to Broomhill on the 1? I really like the sound of the place (just by the sound of the name, as I think it sounds like something out of Mary Poppins or Bedknobs and Broomsticks [the latter is probably why!]), but if it's another Easton or Knowle then I'd rather not go! (no offence to any Eastoners or Knowlers out there!)

 

[Class 33]

The last time I went to Broomhill on the 1 was back in the late 80's on a Leyland National! It's certainly nothing like Easton for sure! And it's probably nothing like Knowle with a lot of yobbo's and anti-social behaviour.

Interestingly also, the area of Henbury around Tormarton Crescent where the 1 used to terminate used to actually also be called Broom Hill many years ago! EDIT: Not so sure if that is actually true now. Nope, probably not! Not sure how I thought that! Though I do definitely remember from an old street atlas that that area of Henbury used to be called Botany Bay! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henbury

 

[ValleyLines142]

The last time I went to Broomhill on the 1 was back in the late 80's on a Leyland National! It's certainly nothing like Easton for sure! And it's probably nothing like Knowle with a lot of yobbo's and anti-social behaviour.

Interestingly also, the area of Henbury around Tormarton Crescent where the 1 used to terminate used to actually also be called Broom Hill many years ago!

Haha fair enough. I need to cover the following:

1: Temple Meads to Broomhill
2: Temple Meads to Stockwood
5: Whole route
6: Whole route
7: Whole route
8: Clifton Christchurch to Redland (i.e. Blackboy Hill/Whiteladies Road)
9: Redland to Clifton Christchurch (i.e. Blackboy Hill/Whiteladies Road)
17: Whole route
18: UWE to Emersons Green, Bristol Parkway to Henbury
20: Whole route (need to do it quick before withdrawal!)
24: Whole route
36: Whole route
37: Whole route
38: Whole route
39: Whole route
40: Route completed
40A: As 40 but need to cover Avonmouth
41: Top of Park Street to Avonmouth (although it looks as if it's the same as the 40?)
42: Whole route
43: Whole route
44: Whole route
45: Route completed
46: Whole routes
47: Whole route
48: Whole route
49: Whole route
50: Whole route
51: Temple Meads to Hengrove
70: Route completed
71: Will need to do when out!
72: Will need to do when out!
73: Route completed
75: Redcliffe Hill to Hengrove
76: Centre (Broad Quay) to Hengrove
81: UWE to Kingswood, Bristol Parkway to Yate
82: Whole route
90: Whole route
121: Whole route
178: Whole route
309: Whole route
310: Whole route
319: Cadbury Heath to Bath
376: Whole route
379: Whole route
903: Whole route
A1: Temple Meads to Bus Station
W1: Hotwells to Weston
X1: Hotwells to Weston
X2: Anchor Lane to Lewins Mead (pathetic I know!)
X3: Whole route
X5: Whole route
X6: Hotwells to Clevedon
X7: Route completed
X8: Whole route
X9: Whole route
X10: Whole route
X18: Whole route
X39: Whole route
X46: Whole route
X47: Whole route
X49: Whole route
X73: Whole route
X74: Will need to do when out!

So still a fair bit of work to do!

 

[Class 33]

You missed out the soon to be X74 as a "need to do"!

Myself, Have been to pretty much every district of Bristol for various reasons over the years. Seeing friends, girlfriends, work, etc, etc. The only district I've still yet to visit or even pass through yet, is the early 1990's creation of Emersons Green! Will have to take a journey over there one day!

 

[ValleyLines142]

You missed out the soon to be X74 as a "need to do"!

Oh gosh yes! I forgot about that one. Will add that to the list.

I'm going to Weston on the X1 next week (or the week after) which I'm looking forward to as those Enviro 400s are BEAUTIFUL. Literally such nice buses, with a lovely pinky interior and a great sounding engine. (Hint hint, certain route beginnning with a 7 and ending in a 0!)

Myself, Have been to pretty much every district of Bristol for various reasons over the years. Seeing friends, girlfriends, work, etc, etc. The only district I've still yet to visit or even pass through yet, is the early 1990's creation of Emersons Green! Will have to take a journey over there one day!

That's quite impressive. I need to cover Emersons as well so let's hop over on the 48/49!

 

[Martin1988]

For anyone interested decker LK53LZG is currently out on service 70 and reached Temple Meads about 10 minutes ago.

 

[ValleyLines142]

For anyone interested decker LK53LZG is currently out on service 70 and reached Temple Meads about 10 minutes ago.

I knew it would happen!! I saw a Wessex Red Gemini on the 11 earlier this week too!

 

[DaveHarries]

Haha fair enough. I need to cover the following:

[.....]

40: Route completed
40A: As 40 but need to cover Avonmouth
41: Top of Park Street to Avonmouth (although it looks as if it's the same as the 40?)

No. The routes of the 40 / 4A / 41 after Park Street Top could best be described as:

40: Clifton Triangle - Clifton Down - Blackboy Hill Top - Sneyd Park - Sea Mills (Square) - Shirehampton - Lawrence Weston - Henbury - Cribbs Causeway

40A: Clifton Triangle - Clifton Down - Blackboy Hill Top - Sneyd Park - Sea Mills (Square) - Shirehampton - Avonmouth - Lawrence Weston - Henbury - Cribbs Causeway

41: Clifton Triangle - Clifton Down - Blackboy Hill Top - White Tree Roundabout - Parrys Lane - Coombe Lane - Sea Mills (Sylvan Way, not Sea Mills Square) - Shirehampton - Avonmouth

Dave

 

[Class 33]

For anyone interested decker LK53LZG is currently out on service 70 and reached Temple Meads about 10 minutes ago.

WOW! Wouldn't have expected that to happen, given First's (silly) "Health and Safety" reason as to why there can't be double deckers on the 70. First time since June 2012 a double decker has been on the 70! Probably a one off for today only I expect though.

I've noticed the 70 has gone back to mostly Eclipse's again though. Every time I wait at Filton Avenue or The Haymarket for a bus including possibly a 70, a bloody Eclipse turns up on the 70! Of course I don't get on it, and wait for one of the others instead. Mind you last week I had just missed a Streetlite on the 70 by only about a minute or two!

Still, the 70 getting it's sister service the 71 in three weeks time. Which should be interesting. I don't think each bus used will be all Eclipse's then. And the 70 will be less crowded.

 

[windnoise69]

Decker 32637 was also on the 70 today

 

[Class 33]

TWO double deckers on the 70 today then?! Well I never!

Must be some problem with two Eclipse's?

 

[83G/84D]

8 Former London Trident have been acquired from First Glasgow and will be used on additional work gained by Hengrove from the end of September. All 8 are in Barbie livery and presently stored in Muller Road.

32931 W931ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32937 W937ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32939 W939ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32940 W840VLO u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32941 W941ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/24F
32942 W942ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/24F
32946 W946ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32950 W132VLO u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F


The last 2 Streetlites have now arrived so 47555/8 should be out soon



Credit:- Steve White's website.

 

[Class 33]

8 Former London Trident have been acquired from First Glasgow and will be used on additional work gained by Hengrove from the end of September. All 8 are in Barbie livery and presently stored in Muller Road.

32931 W931ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32937 W937ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32939 W939ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32940 W840VLO u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32941 W941ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/24F
32942 W942ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/24F
32946 W946ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32950 W132VLO u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F


The last 2 Streetlites have now arrived so 47555/8 should be out soon



Credit:- Steve White's website.

Wrong thread I think. Unless these Tridents are going on the 70 & 71!

But what exactly is this "additional work" gained by Hengrove which will require 8 extra double deckers??? I really can't imagine these going on the new 71 & 72!

 

[swifty]

TWO double deckers on the 70 today then?! Well I never!

Must be some problem with two Eclipse's?

More than likely something to do with the Cricket at the County Ground today I'd have thought.

 

[83G/84D]

Wrong thread I think. Unless these Tridents are going on the 70 & 71!

But what exactly is this "additional work" gained by Hengrove which will require 8 extra double deckers??? I really can't imagine these going on the new 71 & 72!

I posted it here as well as on the other "Bristol" bus thread because I wasn't sure what the buses were being lined up for.

 

[THarris123]

Wrong thread I think. Unless these Tridents are going on the 70 & 71!

But what exactly is this "additional work" gained by Hengrove which will require 8 extra double deckers??? I really can't imagine these going on the new 71 & 72!

As I mentioned on the other thread, deckers will probably be used on 50/51 which will then displace single decks onto the 70/71/72.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
LK53LZG is 32346 in case anyone wondered.

It proves that deckers are suitable for the 70, but due to the shortage of them on the Mon-Sat basis, they aren't used on this.

 

[Class 33]

I managed to see the double decker on the 70 earlier this evening, whilst I was on Filton Avenue. It was working the 1853 UWE-Temple Meads service. Allmost probably the last time we'll see double deckers on the 70 now! Oh well never mind, the 71 starts in a few weeks time. Single deckers on the 70 & 71, but an increase in frequency and capacity across the shared parts of the routes will make things much better.

 

[Class 33]

What a refreshing change for my journey to Temple Meads and back yesterday! Instead of doing what I'd usually do and get a 75, 76, or 309 from Filton Road to Broadmead and then go round the corner and get an 8 or 9 onto Temple Meads, I got a 70 straight there. And a double decker too! During the journey I seen three Northbound 70's which were Gemini's as well. And two Northbound 71's which were Eclipse's. And on the return journey last night, I got another double decker Gemini 70. And during the journey I seen another two Gemini's on the 70 on Southbound services. And I'm sure I saw an Elcipse on a Southbound 71. There might have been a couple of double deckers on the 71 yesterday, not sure though as I didn't see any. Anyway, what a refreshing change, double deckers on the 70 via Ashley Down and St. Andrews to Temple Meads and return!

Service 70 has entered a FANTASTIC new era!!

At Temple Meads the 70 & 71 now picks up at the old set down only 70 stop, and not the 8 & 9 stop by the way.

Going into town a little later on today. Will board at Filton Avenue again and hopefully get a double decker on the 70 or 71. Though I get the feeling they might be Eclipse's only on Sundays, as it was last Sunday on their inaugural day of service. But maybe not, we shall see.

Double Decker on the 71 today

Yep, looks like all the 70 and 71's were double deckers today. Which is great. I got on a Soutbound 71 and it was allmost full up by Filton Avenue and became full up by half way down Gloucester Road, so just as well it was a double decker! The Northbound 70 I got just now was also fairly busy, probably over 50 people on there so just as well that was a double decker too!

I could also see people boarding and they appeared to be pleasantly surprised(or amazed even) that double deckers are now on the 70!

I managed to see the double decker on the 70 earlier this evening, whilst I was on Filton Avenue. It was working the 1853 UWE-Temple Meads service. Allmost probably the last time we'll see double deckers on the 70 now! Oh well never mind, the 71 starts in a few weeks time. Single deckers on the 70 & 71, but an increase in frequency and capacity across the shared parts of the routes will make things much better.

How wrong was I saying we'd allmost probably never see double deckers on the 70 again?!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
To TheGrandWazzoo, and Starrymarkb

I have today continued the discussion about the 70 to it's own seperate thread. I actually tried editing the title to include it's new sister service, the 71 as well. But it won't let me edit the title!

The service 70 has now been transformed from the neglected crap over-crowded single decker service it has been for a little over 2 years, to a MUCH improved better service since the changes last week. A good percentage of double deckers now on the 70 to improve seating capacity, and also the new 71 service to further help ease passenger volumes on the 70, and also means an increase in seating capacity on the shared parts of the route(Temple Meads-Cheltenham Road, and Filton Avenue-UWE). Which is all just brilliant. Understandably some of us here including myself are thrilled to bits with the improvements with the 70 and the improvements/frequency with services between Temple Meads, Centre, Filton Avenue, East Filton, and UWE. So are posting to say how pleased we are. I think this discussion will die down within the next week or so now though, as it becomes commonplace to see double deckers on the 70 & 71 every day and the increase in frequency.

But any discussion about the 70 could continue in this dedicated thread out of the way for people who don't want to read about it. So TheGrandWazzoo, and Starrymarkb if you don't want to read about the 70 then you need not click on to read this thread! In fact if you really don't want to read about the 70 anymore, then you won't actually be reading this anyway!


By the way continueing on. I wouldn't have thought fully double deckers only on the 70 & 71 would be entirely necessary on Sundays now. But today with the high loadings I saw as I got a ride on a 71 and 70, probably partly due to the heavy delays caused to bus services by the Bristol Half Marathon, means that on days like today they were of much use. The single deckers would have been uncomfortably packed out!

 

[ValleyLines142]

To TheGrandWazzoo, and Starrymarkb

I have today continued the discussion about the 70 to it's own seperate thread. I actually tried editing the title to include it's new sister service, the 71 as well. But it won't let me edit the title!

The service 70 has now been transformed from the neglected crap over-crowded single decker service it has been for a little over 2 years, to a MUCH improved better service since the changes last week. A good percentage of double deckers now on the 70 to improve seating capacity, and also the new 71 service to further help ease passenger volumes on the 70, and also means an increase in seating capacity on the shared parts of the route(Temple Meads-Cheltenham Road, and Filton Avenue-UWE). Which is all just brilliant. Understandably some of us here including myself are thrilled to bits with the improvements with the 70 and the improvements/frequency with services between Temple Meads, Centre, Filton Avenue, East Filton, and UWE. So are posting to say how pleased we are. I think this discussion will die down within the next week or so now though, as it becomes commonplace to see double deckers on the 70 & 71 every day and the increase in frequency.

But any discussion about the 70 could continue in this dedicated thread out of the way for people who don't want to read about it. So TheGrandWazzoo, and Starrymarkb if you don't want to read about the 70 then you need not click on to read this thread! In fact if you really don't want to read about the 70 anymore, then you won't actually be reading this anyway!


By the way continueing on. I wouldn't have thought fully double deckers only on the 70 & 71 would be entirely necessary on Sundays now. But today with the high loadings I saw as I got a ride on a 71 and 70, probably partly due to the heavy delays caused to bus services by the Bristol Half Marathon, means that on days like today they were of much use. The single deckers would have been uncomfortably packed out!

Nicely said dear! Let me get the tissues out! *sob*