First Wells Depot

[Dai Corner]

I heard Bath depot was being sold to RATP Group who have a senior manager with extensive knowledge of bus operations in the area. Vehicles will be painted green and operate under the name 'Bristol Omnibus Co Ltd' which, surprisingly, is registered not to First but to said manager.

 

[carlberry]

I heard Bath depot was being sold to RATP Group who have a senior manager with extensive knowledge of bus operations in the area. Vehicles will be painted green and operate under the name 'Bristol Omnibus Co Ltd' which, surprisingly, is registered not to First but to said manager.

He also owns 'Bristol Tramways and Carriage company' for Hengrove!

Bath should be 'Bath Tramways Motor Company' anyway!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'd prefer that to be the reason instead of the truth that it's just to anoy the users!
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Is your secretary available for torrid affairs under other circumstances or have I misunderstood the statement?

I have exclusivity and only she can use my dictaphone (to re-use a very old joke )
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Yes and I'd also heard Hengrove was being sold to Transdev because there are single deckers out on the 75, and Bath is being sold to Stagecoach because they've remembered all the routes

Clearly, Bath can ONLY be sold to Go Ahead. Think about it....

• A range of targeted livery (Uni services) - similar to Southampton
• Damory have now entered the city on the key, strategic X80 service as a prelude
• They've pulled off the 231 and 234 to improve the likelihood of it going past the competition authorities
• e400s (similar to Go Ahead's fleets) are heading into the city and the B9s are moving to Bristol
• Obvious connection to Salisbury via the 265

I would also like to make vague statements about synergies and other words that I don't really understand. However, whichever way you look at it, it can only be described as compelling

 

[THarris123]

66721 is still in Wells. Currently on 175.

 

[ooo]

Steve White has a photo of 69457 the first B7RLE* Mendip Explorer livery.
http://www.swhite.org.uk/steve/69457.jpg
I must say it does look good.

 

[THarris123]

Steve White has a photo of 69457 the first B7RLE* Mendip Explorer livery.
http://www.swhite.org.uk/steve/69457.jpg
I must say it does look good.

Its ok. The livery looks very nice, but the seating isn't the best and I don't know if it actually has wifi from what I'm told. The fleet number is also in gold, which is rather annoying and notice how there isn't any First logo on the front now.
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Also 42907 is back in Bath - on 1 earlier

 

[Whiteway215]

Not heard any mention of the Wells Solo lately. Is it still lurking somewhere?

 

[D2007wsm]

The Wells Solo tonight was parked in Weston Depot with a Mendip Express branded B7 in the workshop.

 

[Whiteway215]

The Wells Solo tonight was parked in Weston Depot with a Mendip Express branded B7 in the workshop.

Thank you for that. This evening Steve White has updated his website and shows 53401 now withdrawn. T Harris will be pleased!

 

[THarris123]

Thank you for that. This evening Steve White has updated his website and shows 53401 now withdrawn. T Harris will be pleased!

Only because I told him

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thank you for that. This evening Steve White has updated his website and shows 53401 now withdrawn. T Harris will be pleased!

With the new ME brand extending over the 175, it was always likely to be surplus and Bath seems to have a surfeit of Solos anyway. Wonder if it will be heading elsewhere rather than the reserve fleet?

 

[DaveHarries]

Clearly, Bath can ONLY be sold to Go Ahead.

And the idea that Bath might be sold came from.....?

Dave

 

[carlberry]

And the idea that Bath might be sold came from.....?

Dave

www.bathstore.com/

 

[Dai Corner]

I heard Bath depot was being sold to RATP Group who have a senior manager with extensive knowledge of bus operations in the area. Vehicles will be painted green and operate under the name 'Bristol Omnibus Co Ltd' which, surprisingly, is registered not to First but to said manager.

Before I'm accused of starting rumours, I better point out that the above was a tongue in cheek remark following earlier posts about 'comedy rumours' in other places.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

www.bathstore.com/

Very good

 

[DaveHarries]

Very good

Always one joker isn't there??! I was referring to the rumour (as I see it) of the sale of the FirstGroup depot in Bath!

On another note I took a look through the fence at Hengrove depot this morning and can confirm that one of the new Enviro400 MMC buses for the A4 Portway Park and Ride was on site and was parked outside the workshops: I couldn't see any more of them. A glimpse through a rather small gap in the hedge between the depot and the industrial site next door gave me a sight of the registration which I read as YX66 WDU.

Dave

 

[swifty]

Always one joker isn't there??! I was referring to the rumour (as I see it) of the sale of the FirstGroup depot in Bath!

The badger on the side of 66726 told me it, so it must be true!!! Honest

 

[83G/84D]

Thank you for that. This evening Steve White has updated his website and shows 53401 now withdrawn. T Harris will be pleased!

53401 is present at Weston and does not look too healthy.

 

[THarris123]

53401 is present at Weston and does not look too healthy.

Good. Keep it that way.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Good. Keep it that way.

I really don't know what you've got against Solos. They're great machines for lightly loaded rural work and the odd bit of urban stuff. I hope it's not that enthusiast prejudice that they're "not a proper bus". If they were rubbish, Stagecoach wouldn't keep buying them!

Anyhow, it's not going to be heading to Wells; I'd have thought it'll be just B7RLEs and Streetdecks now. With BoS getting B7RLEs from Kernow, it may be wall to wall Eclipses in Wells.

 

[THarris123]

I really don't know what you've got against Solos. They're great machines for lightly loaded rural work and the odd bit of urban stuff. I hope it's not that enthusiast prejudice that they're "not a proper bus". If they were rubbish, Stagecoach wouldn't keep buying them!

Anyhow, it's not going to be heading to Wells; I'd have thought it'll be just B7RLEs and Streetdecks now. With BoS getting B7RLEs from Kernow, it may be wall to wall Eclipses in Wells.

I have nothing against solos. Solos are brilliant - if I had the money that would be probably what I'd buy. They are most useful for services which don't require much capacity and have narrow roads. 53401 should not have come to Wells, because although 161 has a couple of narrow roads and can be quiet at times, there was always a risk that the solo would be put on another route - which is too small for any of the other services. I have nothing against 53401 and it's ashame to see it off the road - although it had become very unreliable, which is the main reason why I want to see it off the road. It would've just been better to have it in Bath or somewhere more suited.

 

[Whiteway215]

I have nothing against solos. Solos are brilliant - if I had the money that would be probably what I'd buy. They are most useful for services which don't require much capacity and have narrow roads. 53401 should not have come to Wells, because although 161 has a couple of narrow roads and can be quiet at times, there was always a risk that the solo would be put on another route - which is too small for any of the other services. I have nothing against 53401 and it's ashame to see it off the road - although it had become very unreliable, which is the main reason why I want to see it off the road. It would've just been better to have it in Bath or somewhere more suited.

Not really Wells Depot, but on the subject of Solos/53401 better in Bath. Seeing the service changes from 4 September included a possible saving of up to 3 Solos would we have expected some Solos to be taken out of service? Not aware of any such reported withdrawals.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not really Wells Depot, but on the subject of Solos/53401 better in Bath. Seeing the service changes from 4 September included a possible saving of up to 3 Solos would we have expected some Solos to be taken out of service? Not aware of any such reported withdrawals.

I said that on the main thread (#13310) - think the PVR is 9 so even having 12 releases 3. Possibly have 4 freed as you can always put a Dart on the 179.

 

[THarris123]

I said that on the main thread (#13310) - think the PVR is 9 so even having 12 releases 3. Possibly have 4 freed as you can always put a Dart on the 179.

Not sure about putting a dart on 179. E200 really didn't work on there the other day when I used it.

Strange that no solos have come off the road yet though. Maybe there's a plan for them. Although I would expect them to go to Kernow if not.

 

[83G/84D]

Not sure about putting a dart on 179. E200 really didn't work on there the other day when I used it.

Strange that no solos have come off the road yet though. Maybe there's a plan for them. Although I would expect them to go to Kernow if not.

I would not have thought First Kernow needed many more Solo's. 53118 - 53120 have transferred from Taunton and 50236 was reportedly due.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not sure about putting a dart on 179. E200 really didn't work on there the other day when I used it.

Strange that no solos have come off the road yet though. Maybe there's a plan for them. Although I would expect them to go to Kernow if not.

The 179 was Dart operated for a number of years. Darts 46225 and 42633 were the regular vehicles. The only major change is the loop round Manor Park and that's fine for a Dart. Even seen an SPD do it - now that must've been fun!
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I would not have thought First Kernow needed many more Solo's. 53118 - 53120 have transferred from Taunton and 50236 was reportedly due.

Indeed, there are a number of deserving spots other than FSW.

 

[THarris123]

The 179 was Dart operated for a number of years. Darts 46225 and 42633 were the regular vehicles. The only major change is the loop round Manor Park and that's fine for a Dart. Even seen an SPD do it - now that must've been fun!
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Indeed, there are a number of deserving spots other than FSW.

No the major part really is Ham Lane (as well as Manor Park) and does it still do the bit around Timsbury? The E200 didn't manage Ham Lane very well. It just about fits a solo. Aren't step darts smaller to some extent than the 05 ones?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

No the major part really is Ham Lane (as well as Manor Park) and does it still do the bit around Timsbury? The E200 didn't manage Ham Lane very well. It just about fits a solo. Aren't step darts smaller to some extent than the 05 ones?

Ham Lane is where Berkeley Coaches have their depot. https://flic.kr/p/bd5PY8 If they can get a full sized coach down there, a Dart should be easier.

The step floor Darts were 9.8m long. That said, 43849 would an alternative or....57000 which has also worked it in the past. (Is it still around?)

42633 was a low floor Dart. Can't recall its chassis length though.

 

[FSW Official]

The 179 was Dart operated for a number of years. Darts 46225 and 42633 were the regular vehicles. The only major change is the loop round Manor Park and that's fine for a Dart. Even seen an SPD do it - now that must've been fun!
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Indeed, there are a number of deserving spots other than FSW.

There aren't any planned to move from WoE to Kernow, although there are 13 due to Kernow from elsewhere, replacing non DDA deckers, which came from Plymouth to temporarily replace non DDA single deckers! We've got a much better handle on the fleet requirements in Cornwall now we've had a full year of operating in the post Western Greyhound era, and are happily gathering Solos form around the UK to replace Tridents.

 

[Whiteway215]

There aren't any planned to move from WoE to Kernow, although there are 13 due to Kernow from elsewhere, replacing non DDA deckers, which came from Plymouth to temporarily replace non DDA single deckers! We've got a much better handle on the fleet requirements in Cornwall now we've had a full year of operating in the post Western Greyhound era, and are happily gathering Solos form around the UK to replace Tridents.

Thank you FSW Official for confirming that. If Bath does in fact have surplus Solos at least we know where they are not going.