As I thought the free 375s are being paid for by Somerset CC.
Interesting all the off peak 37s go via the villages then omit Woolavington and Puriton, leaving BOS 73 to serve them.
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First Wells Depot
- Thread starter THarris123
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As I thought the free 375s are being paid for by Somerset CC.
Interesting all the off peak 37s go via the villages then omit Woolavington and Puriton, leaving BOS 73 to serve them.
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THarris123
Established Member
Do they serve Woolavington? I can tell from that stupid timetable. Like I say I have no idea what the route of 375 will be or the frequency from that timetable.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
The timetable looks fairly straightforward
0906 ex Cossington to Street
1048 ex Bridgwater to Street
1248 ex Bridgwater to Street
1448 ex Bridgwater to Catcott
0929/1129/1329 ex Street to Bridgwater
To get to/from Wells requires a change onto the 37 at Street. All other journeys are direct services.
The view is probably that the 375 journeys can't serve Woolavington as there are two competitive, commercial services.
B7L 66354 on 375 today.
Took advantage of 60912 being VOR for a while and had 69448 377 to Wells. Plan was to do 1530 126 69438 which goes to The Blue School before rejoining the normal route at the far end of Haybridge, a bit of the route I had never done.
161, 69441.
375, 66354, 69444.
377, 60913/14, 69448.
376, 69457.
Took advantage of 60912 being VOR for a while and had 69448 377 to Wells. Plan was to do 1530 126 69438 which goes to The Blue School before rejoining the normal route at the far end of Haybridge, a bit of the route I had never done.
161, 69441.
375, 66354, 69444.
377, 60913/14, 69448.
376, 69457.
THarris123
Established Member
Well I nearly got the loan vehicle right! Haven't we had 66354 here before - wasn't it here for Glastonbury work last year or year before and then stayed with us for a month or so?
Its spent most of its life in our area, first on P&R in Bristol then at Bridgwater and Bath.
It was on 375 again today with 69444/47. X75 was 60918.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
66354 did work on Portway but then went to Bath for a year before heading to Bridgwater for 5/6 years and then back to Bath in 2014.
THarris123
Established Member
Yesterday saw a whole 1 person going out on the 10.00 161 from Wells with 69458. Is it really worth putting a big B7 on there on a Sunday?
matt_splat
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i still feel a 2 hourly 173 and a 2 hourly 174 would provide a better service
What about sending the Sundays 173 via Shepton then up the A37 to resume its normal route.
THarris123
Established Member
I agree or maybe an hourly 173 service and interwork 161 with 126 to provide a 2 hourly service on both 161 and 126.
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What about sending the Sundays 173 via Shepton then up the A37 to resume its normal route.
Well thing about that is - I've actually seen a few people get on and off at Binegar on Sundays. I've been a fairly regular user of 173 on Sundays since moving to Wells and it has actually picked up a couple in Binegar. Although with the waiting times the 173 has, you could probably send it to Shepton, then back to Wells and then its normal route to Bath
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53401, a Barbie B7L and one of the RLEs are parked up as spares in depot today. Could they be part of the line up to leave on Sunday?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
What would normally be parked up in the depot (excluding the Streetdeck - one of which is u/s?)?
Given a loss of 6 from the PVR (and possibly a seventh spare vehicle), then you'd anticipate the loss of some of the B7RLEs. Perhaps 3 to go plus the B7Ls and the Solo?
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60912/13 both on 377, so the B7L must be 60914 the one that stinks of diesel inside.
THarris123
Established Member
60914 on 161 a minute ago, so that's the spare.
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Sorry got that wrong - 60914 on 173/4
Have BoS updated their website with the details of the changes in Wells? I can't find anything on their website stating the changes.
I've also decided against looking for work in Yeovil, Taunton or Bildgwater, as when I just looked at the 55/77/X75 timetables (funny that X75 is grouped with 376 on Traveline
), it would be near impossible to work late and I would have to be working centrally and leaving dead on 17.00. It's ridiculous and very annoying. Yet for some bizarre reason if you work in Wells and want to travel back home to Taunton or Somerton the last bus is 19.19. How many people will be doing that compared to people going back from work in Yeovil/Taunton to home in Wells? So silly and it nearly puts the point of me moving to Wells into question.You are quite right, if you look at "Forthcoming Changes" section of their website it states "No Forthcoming Changes" But as we all know the BoS website is almost certainly the worst website of all the First companies.60914 on 161 a minute ago, so that's the spare.
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Sorry got that wrong - 60914 on 173/4
Have BoS updated their website with the details of the changes in Wells? I can't find anything on their website stating the changes.
I've also decided against looking for work in Yeovil, Taunton or Bildgwater, as when I just looked at the 55/77/X75 timetables (funny that X75 is grouped with 376 on Traveline
It will be very interesting to see what happens next week as the vast majority of people know nothing of the changes.
You have been spoilt living in Bristol, but at least in Wells you have a superb bus service to Bristol, the rest of Somersets buses finish shortly after 1800.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
60914 on 161 a minute ago, so that's the spare.
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Sorry got that wrong - 60914 on 173/4
Have BoS updated their website with the details of the changes in Wells? I can't find anything on their website stating the changes.
I've also decided against looking for work in Yeovil, Taunton or Bildgwater, as when I just looked at the 55/77/X75 timetables (funny that X75 is grouped with 376 on Traveline
I'm genuinely not being harsh, but Wells is an odd choice based purely on work. Appreciate that you may have other very important reasons for being in Wells (e.g. family, friends, quality of life, etc) but you'd be much more likely to get roles in Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Cardiff and especially so if relying on public transport.
I don't disagree that on a pure logistical basis, the 29 and 377 would be better based out of Wells (given the prevailing traffic flows). The later runs out of Wells are really only for positioning reasons as I'm sure you know.
However, I can see why they've decided to make the change if only because it means that they can be more consistent in their approach against Webberbus.
You are quite right, if you look at "Forthcoming Changes" section of their website it states "No Forthcoming Changes" But as we all know the BoS website is almost certainly the worst website of all the First companies.
It will be very interesting to see what happens next week as the vast majority of people know nothing of the changes.
You have been spoilt living in Bristol, but at least in Wells you have a superb bus service to Bristol, the rest of Somersets buses finish shortly after 1800.
Is that the time or their age in fleet years Ron!
THarris123
Established Member
That's what wanted to leave and maybe 53401? Wonder if 69457/8 going to Weston?
Private Baxter
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That would seem logical, and what I'm half expecting. I suppose the other could be 69437, but there is the possibility they might lose a further vehicle as they might not need as many spares. But then again perhaps it will be the solo.
Private Baxter
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Had a feeling that might just survive. Expect it to stay mostly as spare with B7RLEs appearing on 161 more often than not!
THarris123
Established Member
Well that means much more potential for a solo to be seen on 376. Can't wait for that, especially if its at peak and breaks down.
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Well my day has been interested and probably the most adventurous. I, of course, had to go on 375 and 377 as it's they're last day.
First of all on 8.19 375 (69437) to Bildgwater. A few going to Glastonbury/Street, then just me and the driver from Street to Woolavington. At Woolavington, 3 passengers got on. I overheard and joined in on their conversation about the 375 going - the passengers are not pleased that Webberbus will be running that service and also didn't have a clue about what's happening from Monday. These passengers really hate Webberbus and there appears to be quite a few loyal to First as I gather. Also got talking to the driver on the way. He said about that 178/379 would be going to Wells and also stated that 2 of the batch of B7RLEs would be going, 3 other B7s and something else (in total 6). I'm still hoping that the something else is 53401.
In Bildgwater, caught the 21A (32883) to Burnham, then waited 15 mins to catch 60918 and the 21 to Weston. What a lovely machine - didn't realise 60918 was refurbished with leather and you can actually feel your backside when you get off the bus. It's more like a B7RLE than a B7L. Really nice ride. However, a single deck was no good for 21 - about 10 people standing going into Weston. Then onto 126 with 69445 all the way to Wells. Driver made really good time - it was about 20 mins late getting into Weston due to traffic and 5 mins late back into Wells.
Quick break in Wells and then onto 13.44 377 (60914). As a celebration, I assume, of the last day of 377 in Wells all the B7Ls were on it. Don't think I've ever seen that. By the time we got into Yeovil, my backside was completely numb and I am truly thankful if those horrid buses go elsewhere tomorrow. They do drive well though (apart from hills - how far we've come
). Then onto 54 to Taunton with 33380 and obviously I was overjoyed to have a lovely Trident like that and thankful after the last part. 57000 and 67600 were parked up in Taunton depot with, I think, a B7 - maybe a Weston B7 (not 66721 as that was on 7 in Weston). Then a quick jump onto 21A to Bildgwater (60917 - which still has its pink branding) and with 2 minutes to spare made it onto the 17.46 375 back to Wells (with 69441).
Overall a lovely, lucky and fun day out. Got to speak to some lovely drivers, found out a few bits and bobs and got to try out the 375 and 377 on their last days with Wells. Each of the drivers I spoke to were unhappy about losing both services and I dread to think what's coming next.
Also interesting that there seems to be a complete lack of information from BoS - the 73 timetable is up in the bus stop outside Crispin Hall - bit pointless and that is the only service which has been advertised on any BoS bus. There is no other information on any BoS bus about any of the changes - practically all the timetables I saw still haven't been updated. The drivers and the passengers are completely confused about what's happening from tomorrow/Monday. Not really great. First WoE seem to have updated the bus stop signs on the 20 route though - the BoS signs have gone to be replaced with First signs and it looks like some of the timetables at the bus stops on that route have been updated.
Obs today:-
69457 174
69437/441/2 375
35160/4/5/7 376
35166/53401/69444 depot
40592 1
32818/883/859/930/954/961/33377/60918/60917 21/A (interesting that 32961 broke down too, so on 60917 we had to pick up its load)
33416/66934/6/66725/1 7
44907 3
33411 X1
33508 X5
69445/438/66935 126
60914/2/3 377
69443/39 173
69447 161
42950/42949 58
53611/53109 1
53111/53110 3
50466 2
53615 Yeovil bus station
53056 57 (still in hoppa)
33380/32936 54 (then 33381)
47535/8/55101 P&R
45112 4
48273 5
62191/40581/57000/67600/62242 depot
62192/32935 22
69206 28
40583 25
45111 1
And finally I think P241 UCW is in Taunton bus station - is that 34041?
Such ashame to be losing 375 and losing 377 to Taunton. I really can't see 55 working, nor the 77 working well from Taunton. I can understand why they've done what they've done economically, but the constant changes are beginning to annoy passengers and drivers, not to mention enthusiasts. It'll be interesting to see what happens in September/October and next year. Of what I understand, it looks as though 178/379 could be run e.g. 173->379->379->173 (taking up 5.5 hours?). It'll be interesting to find out though.
THarris123
Established Member
Oh and also forgot to say that this is near enough the last Saturday in which I'll be travelling - from next Saturday I'm working in another job.
I would say the influence behind this is because of low pay from my full time job, but in truth, I am beginning to lose enthusiasm for going on such trips and using First bus.
From next week, I will be using First almost every Sunday and once every other Friday evening and that's it - rather different from not long ago when I was nearly using their buses 7 days a week.
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Can't remember, but is 66339 in Barbie? The one I saw was sat next to 67600 and was in Barbie livery.
I would say the influence behind this is because of low pay from my full time job, but in truth, I am beginning to lose enthusiasm for going on such trips and using First bus.
From next week, I will be using First almost every Sunday and once every other Friday evening and that's it - rather different from not long ago when I was nearly using their buses 7 days a week.
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Can't remember, but is 66339 in Barbie? The one I saw was sat next to 67600 and was in Barbie livery.
Yes it's in Barbie livery Tom, Mike R
THarris123
Established Member
RIP First Wells depot 375 and 377
THarris123
Established Member
Fully agree.
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69447 173
69443 161
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69441/5/Streetdeck depot
I think its going to be a long time, if ever, Somerset County Council reinstate funding for evening and Sunday buses. :cry:
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