TrawsCambria / TrawsCymru

[WelshBuses93]

2 new Optare MetroCity's are to join Lloyds Coaches for the TrawsCymru T2.
http://www.optare.com/news/2015/9/15/lloyds-coaches-opts-for-more-optare-buses

 

[adey2011]

2 new Optare MetroCity's are to join Lloyds Coaches for the TrawsCymru T2.
http://www.optare.com/news/2015/9/15/lloyds-coaches-opts-for-more-optare-buses

With Lloyds ordering two Metro City vehicles it would appear that they could be taking a larger share of the T2 timetable At present they have one Versa and one SR Solo working all day with a second SR Solo doing occasional journeys. If they therefore retain what they have but acquire extra journeys I assume one SR Solo would be replaced. Be interesting to see if the two Versa's are part exchanged for the Metro City's. Gwynedd still to produce the new timetable so all guess work at the moment.

 

[Bwsbro]

With Lloyds ordering two Metro City vehicles it would appear that they could be taking a larger share of the T2 timetable At present they have one Versa and one SR Solo working all day with a second SR Solo doing occasional journeys. If they therefore retain what they have but acquire extra journeys I assume one SR Solo would be replaced. Be interesting to see if the two Versa's are part exchanged for the Metro City's. Gwynedd still to produce the new timetable so all guess work at the moment.

No offical announcements regarding the T2 tender, although Express Motors have amended their vosa registration for the T2 alongside the 1/1A/1B/9/9A group of services and the 38/39 Barmouth Services to commence from November 1st (Same as T2 new contract)

 

[WelshBuses93]

I'm not sure what will happen to the Versa's. I believe the shorter model is a regular on the X29 service, perhaps the longer vehicle (BCZ) will see service onto the X85 as I recall some years previous the service often operated with an Optare Tempo X1260, but I may be wrong.

Perhaps the 10:00 Aber-Dol could be extended to Bangor with Lloyds operating a 13:30 Bangor-Aber, but who knows. The Solo often used by Express (S1EMS) has had it's Traws logo removed from the windscreen, but then again we'll just have to see what happens.

 

[DaveHarries]

I have to get from Bristol to Cardigan on Wednesday. Which is more reliable? 460 Carmarthen to Cardigan or T5 Haverfordwest - Cardigan?

Not much difference in trip time I accept but advice welcome.

Dave

 

[Bwsbro]

I have to get from Bristol to Cardigan on Wednesday. Which is more reliable? 460 Carmarthen to Cardigan or T5 Haverfordwest - Cardigan?

Not much difference in trip time I accept but advice welcome.

Dave

Id suggest the 460 from Carmarthen as they seem to be timetabled around the times of the trains

 

[adey2011]

Sorry, I know this isn't part of this thread but since last Tuesday I haven't seen any new registrations on VOSA. Does anyone know if the site is down for maintenance or they have changed the format?

Thanks

 

[Rhydgaled]

On my way home yesterday I noticed a poster which says some evening journeys on the T5 (and Fishguard town service 410) are being cut from Monday 29th (last day of operation Saturday 26th Sept). The journeys being cut are:

1. 22:30 Fishguard - Fishguard (410) via Goodwick, Harbour Village, Stop & Call and Dyffryn
2. 21:00 Newport - Haverfordwest (T5)
3. 21:55 Haverfordwest - Fishguard (T5)
4. 23:00 Fishguard - Newport (T5)

Interestingly the wording of the poster suggested that 2), 3) and 4) currently run Mon-SAT, but the T5 launch timetable from January says 2) only runs on SAT but that 3) and 4) run Mon-SAT. A further service which I suspect may also be going is the 02:15 Haverfordwest - Newport (again, the Jan2015 T5 timetable is confusing since there is no code at the top of the column suggesting days of operation, but in the old 412 timetable this journey always used to be marked as running on Sunday mornings only. None of the above journeys appear on the timetable currently on the TrawsCymru website, which is dated 01/09/2015. I've never used any of these services and wonder what the intended purpose of them is, perhaps for people to go to evening events in Haverfordwest (similar to the 21:40 T1 from Aberystwyth). My only guess is that the Sunday morning working was for people coming home from pubs and night clubs in Haverfordwest. The axing of the 21:55 makes me wonder whether the 21:40 Aberystwyth to Lampeter on the T1 might be on shaky ground.

I have to get from Bristol to Cardigan on Wednesday. Which is more reliable? 460 Carmarthen to Cardigan or T5 Haverfordwest - Cardigan?

Not much difference in trip time I accept but advice welcome.

Dave

Id suggest the 460 from Carmarthen as they seem to be timetabled around the times of the trains

Probably too late for your trip, but the trains are much more frequent to Carmarthen (only every 2hrs to Haverfordwest, whereas Carmarthen is better than hourly at times). Make sure you aren't trying to return from Cardigan on a Sunday, as far as I'm aware there are no buses at all to/from Cardigan on Sundays except the Poppit Rocket in summer.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Seen the new coaches for the 701. Ex Green Line and fully sign written for the service... and once Lewis's take over the route on Thursday the service will go back to serving the bus stn in swansea!

 

[WelshBuses93]

One of the vehicles is ex Arriva The Shires 4067, registered YJ55WSX and the second vehicle is ex 4068 YJ55WSY.

 

[swifty]

One of the vehicles is ex Arriva The Shires 4067, registered YJ55WSX and the second vehicle is ex 4068 YJ55WSY.

They've come via South Gloucestershire who bought the batch from Ensign and sold them on after use over the summer.

 

[WelshBuses93]

Indeed they have.

 

[Bwsbro]

Visit my new Blog http://bwscymru.wordpress.com

For all the photographs from the first day of operation of the new Lewis Coaches 701 Aberystwyth - Carmarthen service, including some history of the former Coach Travel Wales/ Bryans Coaches service.

Also why not like my new page on Facebook for all the latest news from the blog http://www.facebook.com/bwscymru

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Visit my new Blog http://bwscymru.wordpress.com

For all the photographs from the first day of operation of the new Lewis Coaches 701 Aberystwyth - Carmarthen service, including some history of the former Coach Travel Wales/ Bryans Coaches service.

Also why not like my new page on Facebook for all the latest news from the blog http://www.facebook.com/bwscymru

good to see a fitting tribute to the changes on the 701 however just a correction... the drivers weren't transferred on TUPE. they were made redundant and had to apply for the jobs on Lewis's T&C's.

Also for some reason the pics won't load on the blog so any chance of also posting them on the facebook page?

 

[carlberry]

Visit my new Blog http://bwscymru.wordpress.com

For all the photographs from the first day of operation of the new Lewis Coaches 701 Aberystwyth - Carmarthen service, including some history of the former Coach Travel Wales/ Bryans Coaches service.

Also why not like my new page on Facebook for all the latest news from the blog http://www.facebook.com/bwscymru

It's good to see the efforts that's being put into confusing people with the timetable for this service! (Most of which is likely to be nothing to do with the operator however).

Traveline have timetables for both operators available, it's up to you to choose the correct one!
Traveline say the Pencoed diversion costs 5 minutes. Carmarthenshire says it costs 10 minutes but only operates incoming to Cardiff!
The Carmarthenshire one is the first time I've ever seen a timetable which states the days of operation (Monday to Saturday) then adds a note that one journey operates Monday to Sunday!
The Traveline HTML one (the first one you see if you search for the service) also misses off all menthon that the Pencoed stop is optional. However, since the latest changes to Traveline Cymru, it's quite a suprise to find a timetable that lists journeys in the correct order and has full stop descriptions!

http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/993323/701.pdf
http://www.traveline.cymru/uploads/OmniPDF/OWPDF__Lewis_of_Llanrhystud-701LDA-1/701LDA1.pdf

http://www.traveline.cymru/timetables/?routeNum=701&item_clean=1615,1632,1633,1605&direction_id=1

 

[Bwsbro]

good to see a fitting tribute to the changes on the 701 however just a correction... the drivers weren't transferred on TUPE. they were made redundant and had to apply for the jobs on Lewis's T&C's.

Also for some reason the pics won't load on the blog so any chance of also posting them on the facebook page?

Update - Photos are now updated on the blog, the photographs weren't uploaded correctly, All photos are linked to the Bws Cymru Flickr site

 

[Flying Snail]

It's good to see the efforts that's being put into confusing people with the timetable for this service! (Most of which is likely to be nothing to do with the operator however).

Traveline have timetables for both operators available, it's up to you to choose the correct one!
Traveline say the Pencoed diversion costs 5 minutes. Carmarthenshire says it costs 10 minutes but only operates incoming to Cardiff!
The Carmarthenshire one is the first time I've ever seen a timetable which states the days of operation (Monday to Saturday) then adds a note that one journey operates Monday to Sunday!
The Traveline HTML one (the first one you see if you search for the service) also misses off all menthon that the Pencoed stop is optional. However, since the latest changes to Traveline Cymru, it's quite a suprise to find a timetable that lists journeys in the correct order and has full stop descriptions!

http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/993323/701.pdf
http://www.traveline.cymru/uploads/OmniPDF/OWPDF__Lewis_of_Llanrhystud-701LDA-1/701LDA1.pdf

http://www.traveline.cymru/timetables/?routeNum=701&item_clean=1615,1632,1633,1605&direction_id=1

None of which is helped by the former operator still displaying the service on their website with no mention of them withdrawing and the new operator not having any mention of it on their site.

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

None of which is helped by the former operator still displaying the service on their website with no mention of them withdrawing and the new operator not having any mention of it on their site.

how is it confusing? the timetable has stayed the same... it's just the operator that has changed...

 

[carlberry]

how is it confusing? the timetable has stayed the same... it's just the operator that has changed...

It's confusing if you dont know who to phone about the service. Also the stopping point in Swansea changed (however the previous operator is still showing the bus station version).

As the new operator now has a timetable on site it now gives the impression that two different operators are running the same service. The previous operator still advertising the withdrawn service 750 is more than just confusing if people find a reference to it! It's just as well people dont trust the Internet.

And Traveline still give both timetables!

 

[WelshBuses93]

According to Lewis's Coaches, the coaches for the 701 will also (or they do) have free WiFi, so this could see an increase in passenger usage as well as the upgrade in the vehicle's been utilised.

 

[Bwsbro]

According to Lewis's Coaches, the coaches for the 701 will also (or they do) have free WiFi, so this could see an increase in passenger usage as well as the upgrade in the vehicle's been utilised.

The vehicles would of had the hardware already installed during their time on the Greenline, therefore it should be easily enough to put free wifi onboard, all that would be needed is Lewis to choose a network provider

 

[Markdvdman]

The vehicles would of had the hardware already installed during their time on the Greenline, therefore it should be easily enough to put free wifi onboard, all that would be needed is Lewis to choose a network provider

I was on it from Cross Hands to Cardiff this am. Wifi is NOT advertised onboard, but I tested it and it works. However, my three internet access on 3G or 4G is faster as I have unlimited internet, but still a good thing - should advertise it though on the bus

 

[Bwsbro]

Express Motors have lost their tenderd operations on the T2

This will mean that Express Motors will only operate the Monday - Saturday
09:15 ex Bangor
13:55 ex Aberystwyth
17:20 ex Bangor
19:35 ex Dolgellau

Express Motors have increased the number of services on service 35 including a new 10:50 and 17:10 Dolgellau to Blaenau Ffestiniog and 14:25 Blaenau Ffestiniog - Dolgellau with the 16:25 to Bronaber extended south to Dolgellau

 

[adey2011]

Express Motors have lost their tenderd operations on the T2

This will mean that Express Motors will only operate the Monday - Saturday
09:15 ex Bangor
13:55 ex Aberystwyth
17:20 ex Bangor
19:35 ex Dolgellau

Express Motors have increased the number of services on service 35 including a new 10:50 and 17:10 Dolgellau to Blaenau Ffestiniog and 14:25 Blaenau Ffestiniog - Dolgellau with the 16:25 to Bronaber extended south to Dolgellau

Have you seen the new timetable, be interesting to see how much dead mileage Lloyds have, for instance who will work the 15.25 from Bangor to Doll returning back to Bangor for 19.37

 

[Bwsbro]

Have you seen the new timetable, be interesting to see how much dead mileage Lloyds have, for instance who will work the 15.25 from Bangor to Doll returning back to Bangor for 19.37

Not seen the timetable but Express Motors have published their changes from the 2nd November 2015. Hopefully my sources will inform me of further changes by Monday
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Gwynedd Council have confirmed that Express Motors and Lloyds Coaches will operate services on the T2 from the 2nd November 2015

Gwynedd Council have also confirmed to me that the timetable for the new service will be uploaded in the next two days. The delay was due to the paperwork regarding the Lloyds Coaches registration.

What we know is that Express Motors will operate the Following services on Monday - Saturday ONLY

09:15 Bangor - Aberystwyth
13:55 Aberystwyth - Bangor
17:15 Bangor - Dolgellau (With Connection to Aberystwyth)
19:35 Dolgellau - Bangor (With Connection from Aberystwyth)

Will Report when with further developments

 

[adey2011]

Not seen the timetable but Express Motors have published their changes from the 2nd November 2015. Hopefully my sources will inform me of further changes by Monday
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Gwynedd Council have confirmed that Express Motors and Lloyds Coaches will operate services on the T2 from the 2nd November 2015

Gwynedd Council have also confirmed to me that the timetable for the new service will be uploaded in the next two days. The delay was due to the paperwork regarding the Lloyds Coaches registration.

What we know is that Express Motors will operate the Following services on Monday - Saturday ONLY

09:15 Bangor - Aberystwyth
13:55 Aberystwyth - Bangor
17:15 Bangor - Dolgellau (With Connection to Aberystwyth)
19:35 Dolgellau - Bangor (With Connection from Aberystwyth)

Will Report when with further developments

It seems that there could be a lot of last minute tinkering and compromising aka November 2014. It would seem that Lloyds especially after ordering 2 Metro City vehicles will be operating the lions share of the route. I cannot envisage though how they will overcome the amount of dead mileage especially late evenings and Sundays unless they cut it down by operating from their Dolgellau depot, thanks for the info so far.

 

[WelshBuses93]

New timetable for service T2 is up on the Gwynedd website, looks like Lloyds Coaches will be utilising 3 buses for the service and 1 for Express. Sunday service provided by Lloyds Coaches with the exception of the 19:15 Dolgellau-Porthmadog service and additional trips have been added (6:00 Mach-Ban and 17:45 Ban-Mach) to avoid dead mileage.

 

[adey2011]

New timetable for service T2 is up on the Gwynedd website, looks like Lloyds Coaches will be utilising 3 buses for the service and 1 for Express. Sunday service provided by Lloyds Coaches with the exception of the 19:15 Dolgellau-Porthmadog service and additional trips have been added (6:00 Mach-Ban and 17:45 Ban-Mach) to avoid dead mileage.

There appears to be some odd workings, the 07.30 Mach to Bangor doesn't seem to come back until 15.25 Bangor to Aberystwyth, finishing the day as an 18.45 X28 Aber to Mach. They also finish very late on a Sunday in Bangor so probably return as Private, dead mileage?

 

[WelshBuses93]

Perhaps Lloyds Mon-Sat diagram could be like this.. not saying I'm right though

Bus1 - 06:45 Mach-Aber X28, 07:35 Aber-Ban T2, 13:25 Ban-Aber T2, 17:55 Aber-Dol T2, 19:35 Dol-Aber T2, 20:45 Aber-Mach X28.

Bus2 - 07:30 Mach-Ban T2, 11:15 Ban-Aber T2, 15:30 Aber-Ban T2, 19:35 Ban-Mach T2.

Bus3 - 08:50 Mach-Aber X28, 10:00 Aber-Ban T2, 15:25 Ban-Aber T2, 18:45 Aber-Mach X28.

 

[adey2011]

Perhaps Lloyds Mon-Sat diagram could be like this.. not saying I'm right though

Bus1 - 06:45 Mach-Aber X28, 07:35 Aber-Ban T2, 13:25 Ban-Aber T2, 17:55 Aber-Dol T2, 19:35 Dol-Aber T2, 20:45 Aber-Mach X28.

Bus2 - 07:30 Mach-Ban T2, 11:15 Ban-Aber T2, 15:30 Aber-Ban T2, 19:35 Ban-Mach T2.

Bus3 - 08:50 Mach-Aber X28, 10:00 Aber-Ban T2, 15:25 Ban-Aber T2, 18:45 Aber-Mach X28.

I think the above looks very credible, I would assume buses 1 & 2 would be the two new Metro City's whilst bus 3 would be one of the Optare Solo SR's presumably if this is repainted into Traws Cymru livery it will be the first small vehicle in this livery. Nothing from Lloyds registered on VOSA yet?