West Country Independents

[freetoview33]

Sorry I don't have any idea of route Pvr's, the only one that jumps out, is the 3's requiring 10 buses, seems a bit OTT.

As of early August, taking in to account Rotala July fleetchanges, the Avonmouth allocation stood at 81 buses & Keysham 21 buses. That was following the 13/13A & 19 finishing. Not sure of future fleet plans, but there *may* still be a possibility of further new work to componsate for the loss of some tendered routes.

A couple of E200's have left Wessex to replace similar leased former OFJ E200's at Hallmark Connections (Heathrow), and B7RLE 30938 has moved to Diamond Bus Kidderminster for a new service.

Just the 3 is a lot of peak services. Not sure what the buses do the rest of the day though!

 

[Colly405]

PVR

3: 10
U10: 2
11: 1
12: 2
X14: 6
16: 8
U18: 9
X18: 2
20A/C: 4
505: 6
506: 4
508: 2
511: 1
512: 1
513/514: 1
One: 6
One2: 4
SNF: 1

Total: 70?? Actual figure is most likely a bit lower, but 70 buses isn't too bad going, still must be a massive drop with the losses recently.

If you look at the 11 on travelwest it mentions return journeys, so it may well be hourly *each way*.

The 3A/C/X are only 7 journeys in the AM peak. The 3B looks to be 2 in the morning too, so that only makes 9, unless there are dupes which I've never seen, and of course it is quite possible to vehicles to make more than one run.

The 511/3/4 are between-the-peaks only, so could well use vehicles off the 3s.

There are also closed contracts, such as the one between TSB and Parkway.

 

[freetoview33]

If you look at the 11 on travelwest it mentions return journeys, so it may well be hourly *each way*.

The 3A/C/X are only 7 journeys in the AM peak. The 3B looks to be 2 in the morning too, so that only makes 9, unless there are dupes which I've never seen, and of course it is quite possible to vehicles to make more than one run.

The 511/3/4 are between-the-peaks only, so could well use vehicles off the 3s.

There are also closed contracts, such as the one between TSB and Parkway.

When I said the 11 PVR I did take into account return trips ...

And I think the 3B is 3 as there is one trip from City Centre at 09:07.

 

[winston270twm]

When I said the 11 PVR I did take into account return trips ...

And I think the 3B is 3 as there is one trip from City Centre at 09:07.

Either way, at present, there seems to be a lot more fleet than there's currently work for at Wessex.

I didn wonder whether the growing fleet of ex London VDL/Gemini's would be brought in to make it a low cost operation, and ship the newer B7RLE's out, it may have given Wessex a bit more financial flexibility to compete with First.

 

[Colly405]

Latest Traveline update shows the Wessex One2 terminating in Southmead Hospital from 4th Sept (as the new stops are now in use), routed Henleaze Rd, Southmead Rd, Monks Pk Ave, Monks Pk Way. So missing out Pen Park Rd and Greystoke Ave.

 

[freetoview33]

Latest Traveline update shows the Wessex One2 terminating in Southmead Hospital from 4th Sept (as the new stops are now in use), routed Henleaze Rd, Southmead Rd, Monks Pk Ave, Monks Pk Way. So missing out Pen Park Rd and Greystoke Ave.

That was always the plan anyway!

 

[matt_splat]

Wessex have a new service 17 in Bath part replacing the 20s x18 and u10 I beleve the u18 becomes term time only

 

[THarris123]

Wessex have a new service 17 in Bath part replacing the 20s x18 and u10 I beleve the u18 becomes term time only

So does that start in Sept? Does it mean they're withdrawing 20A/C, X18 and U10?

 

[Colly405]

That was always the plan anyway!

I thought the plan was to run as per the First 2 through Southmead, then down Pen Park and up Monks Park to the hospital? THey way they are doing it misses out the main estate in Southmead.

 

[DaveHarries]

So does that start in Sept? Does it mean they're withdrawing 20A/C, X18 and U10?

Timetable on TravelineSW.

Dave

 

[freetoview33]

There are new timetables for the 20, so that's staying. But no sign of new X18, U10 or U18 timetables, so they might be going.

If this is the case, this will be a drop in PVR again!

17: pvr is 5

 

[matt_splat]

X18 and u10 are both going the u18 becomes term time only

 

[freetoview33]

X18 and u10 are both going the u18 becomes term time only

Just waiting for the new u18 tt!

 

[nesw]

I'm not sure who's operators licence Carmel Bristol are using, VOSA shows 'application in progress'?

Mr. Hand has also been driving for them.

The Carmel website doesn't appear to have been updated since 2014.

 

[carlberry]

I'm not sure who's operators licence Carmel Bristol are using, VOSA shows 'application in progress'?

Mr. Hand has also been driving for them.

The Carmel website doesn't appear to have been updated since 2014.

PH1127110 as they have since they started.

 

[nesw]

Ah, interesting as there's a separate 15 vehicle licence that's under consideration.

A quick search reveals the licence holder to be the daughter of Carmel's original owner.

 

[Marc]

Mr. Hand has also been driving for them.

doing what?

 

[winston270twm]

11/11A changes now confirmed on VOSA

PH1066711/109 - WESSEX BUS LTD, WESSEX HOUSE, PORT EDWARD CENTRE, ST. ANDREWS ROAD, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL, BS11 9HS
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Bristol, Union Street and UWE, Bower Ashton given service number 11/11A effective from 19-Sep-2016.

PH1066711/128 - WESSEX BUS LTD, WESSEX HOUSE, PORT EDWARD CENTRE, ST. ANDREWS ROAD, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL, BS11 9HS
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Uwe Bower Ashton Campus
Finish Point: Anchor Road, Bristol
Via: Colston Ave, Redcliff
Service Number: 11
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 19-SEP-2016
Other Details: Monday to Friday exc bank holidays
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Confirms what was already known:

PH1066711/38 - WESSEX BUS LTD, WESSEX HOUSE, PORT EDWARD CENTRE, ST. ANDREWS ROAD, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL, BS11 9HS
Variation Accepted: Operating between Lower Oldfield Park and Bath University given service number 17 effective from 26-Sep-2016. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

PH1066711/53 - WESSEX BUS LTD, WESSEX HOUSE, PORT EDWARD CENTRE, ST. ANDREWS ROAD, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL, BS11 9HS
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Southdown and Bath University given service number U10/10 effective from 26-Sep-2016.

PH1066711/110 - WESSEX BUS LTD, WESSEX HOUSE, PORT EDWARD CENTRE, ST. ANDREWS ROAD, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL, BS11 9HS
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Lower Oldfield Park and University of Bath given service number X18 effective from 26-Sep-2016.

 

[diffywood]

Wessex to run 51 service in bristol from 04/09 according to bristol post


http://m.bristolpost.co.uk/saved-th...-with-wessex/story-29636533-detail/story.html

 

[THarris123]

Timetable up for 51 on Wessex website.

Every 30 mins 7 to 9, then every 15 mins 9 to 16/17ish, then every 30 mins up to 22.00.

Expect peak to be very full on 2 and 376. Not quite the saviour that everyone makes out.

5 buses off peak, 3 buses on peak. Supposedly deckers according to save the 51 Facebook page, but surely it's more likely to be singles. I expect they'll work off the 3/3A, etc.

 

[winston270twm]

Timetable up for 51 on Wessex website.

Every 30 mins 7 to 9, then every 15 mins 9 to 16/17ish, then every 30 mins up to 22.00.

Expect peak to be very full on 2 and 376. Not quite the saviour that everyone makes out.

5 buses off peak, 3 buses on peak. Supposedly deckers according to save the 51 Facebook page, but surely it's more likely to be singles. I expect they'll work off the 3/3A, etc.

It's a bit unusual for the peak frequnecy to be less than the off peak frequency given some of the comments regarding peak loadings etc. But the Wessex 51 is much better than First's 51 after the 4th Septemeber.........

Wessex have 24 deckers now, with the withdrawal of the 13/13A that should allow deckers to be re-allocated elsewhere

 

[Class 33]

Yes I too think it's a bit odd that the peak morning and evening 51's will only be every half hour, yet during the off-peak it will be every 15 minutes. Don't see the logic in that. It should be the other way around! Oh well!

On the Save 51 Bus Facebook page there are some photos posted of the Meet Wessex event at South Bristol Hospital this afternoon. A bus from Wessex Connect attended too, a Gemini double decker. Interestingly, in one of the photos it is pictured alongside a First 51 bus. With the destination display on the Wessex bus displaying 51 Service Saved. And on the First 51 it says City Centre 51, but due to the lighting conditions of the photo less then half of it is diplayed. Sort of unintentionally indicating really that there isn't much time left for the First 51 now!

Am not really a frequent user of the 51 myself. But I'm glad the campaign to save it was a success, and Wessex will be taking it over. I hope it's a success for them.

I do sometimes goto Broad Walk Shopping Centre to do some shopping in the Iceland and B & M shops there. During the initial week of the Wessex 51 operating, I may well give the new 51 a try to see what it's like, one of the peak evening services either the 1645 or 1715 service from Broadmead.

 

[winston270twm]

Wessex have posted a complete list of withdrawn & new services from Sept posted today for anyone interested:

http://www.wessexbus.com/news/SeptemberServiceChanges_507.html

 

[THarris123]

Up on VOSA is a registration for Wessex - 14 - Bath - Weston

See this is the joy of renumbering - Wessex will make a bit of money out of that

 

[Marc]

Up on VOSA is a registration for Wessex - 14 - Bath - Weston

See this is the joy of renumbering - Wessex will make a bit of money out of that

i bet they wont. first will flood the weston end of the route with duplicates just like whitelades road in bristol since wessex started on that.

all of this just plays in to the hands of people calling for state control.

 

[THarris123]

i bet they wont. first will flood the weston end of the route with duplicates just like whitelades road in bristol since wessex started on that.

all of this just plays in to the hands of people calling for state control.

Well First have reduced 14 from 10 buses every 1.5 hours to 9. Then it will pick up people who know the service by number 14, rather than 4. First are short of drivers, so don't expect much of a comeback yet.

I really like what Wessex are doing in Bath. At last they are coming up with some initiative. They'll be competing against U1 every 5 mins with 17/18, along with the 1, 4 and 5. Looking much better

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well First have reduced 14 from 10 buses every 1.5 hours to 9. Then it will pick up people who know the service by number 14, rather than 4. First are short of drivers, so don't expect much of a comeback yet.

I really like what Wessex are doing in Bath. At last they are coming up with some initiative. They'll be competing against U1 every 5 mins with 17/18, along with the 1, 4 and 5. Looking much better

The reduction in service frequency is minimal; put another way, it's 6.6 buses per hour to 6. I'd venture it's more sensible (going to a clockface) so not a major issue. Also, regular travellers may have time to get used to the 4 as the number.

Remember that Wessex have tried it on the 5 and got knocked back. Even Faresaver tried to compete on the 14 and were forced back and that was in the bad days of First!!

The biggest problems for First will be drivers (though they'll find them if they need to) and perhaps the main one will be reliability if vehicles are caught in traffic in Bear Flat.

The BIG question will be.... Can Wessex take more trade off First with their 14, than First will with their U services? Could also be the catalyst to get your wish of Streetlites on the 4(14) if it isn't already planned.

 

[winston270twm]

PH1066711/129 - WESSEX BUS LTD, WESSEX HOUSE, PORT EDWARD CENTRE, ST. ANDREWS ROAD, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL, BS11 9HS

Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Haviland Park, Weston
Finish Point: Dorchester Street, Bath
Via: Royal Hospital
Service Number: 14
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 10-OCT-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday

 

[THarris123]

Cancellation of Crosville 101 service gone through VOSA effective 8/10.

PH1107086/19 - CROSVILLE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, UNIT 2, WESTLAND DISTRIBUTION PARK, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS24 9AB

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Weston Super Mare Marine Parade and Cribbs Causeway Bus Station given service number 101 effective from 08-Oct-2016.

 

[Marc]

Cancellation of Crosville 101 service gone through VOSA effective 8/10.

PH1107086/19 - CROSVILLE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, UNIT 2, WESTLAND DISTRIBUTION PARK, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS24 9AB

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Weston Super Mare Marine Parade and Cribbs Causeway Bus Station given service number 101 effective from 08-Oct-2016.

not suprising as they have got rid of most of the conducters for the bristol commuter coaches already. last time i saw one of them it was some older vanhool t8, not the new kit theyre supposed to be using.